The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global motorcycle event raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs on behalf of the Movember foundation.
Here at Wilberforce, students have been presented with a unique opportunity. Gordon Norton, a part of the DGR Hull, has secured funding to not only run the ride but to also help Wilberforce students to refit a classic bike, get it ready for the road, and ride it on the day. This opportunity is also a part of the Upskilling Programme that Wilberforce College provides for its students: a weekly chance for students to build their skills in a variety of different areas and get them ready for success in their future. It is also a fantastic opportunity for students to improve their CV and stand out from other students if they decide to apply to university.
Open to all genders, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in 2012 by Mark Hawwa in Sydney, Australia, and is centred around classic and vintage styled motorcycles. The ride provides an outline of dress and behaviour, suggesting riders don a vintage style, and vintage manners. Dapper clothing like silk vests, tweed suits and flat caps are encouraged, as well as courteous behaviour. The ride carries no entry free, but all riders are encouraged to raise funds for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs on behalf of the Movember Foundation.
Rob Fillinger, a STEM teacher at Wilberforce, has helped to get many of the college’s talented students involved. “We have students involved in the bike refit, planning and completing it and riding it on the day” he said. “We also have our bands playing at the event and the Hair and Beauty students have agreed to do makeovers. As well as this, our creative students in Art and Graphic Design will be making the mural for the bike and the posters that will showcase the event around Hull.”
The College has involved Hull 4 Heroes as a featured charity and their branding will be on the bike. Designed by students, the bike will be auctioned after the ride, and any profits will be donated to Hull 4 Heroes.
