AN EVENT that unites classic and vintage style motorcycle riders all over the world to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men's mental health has taken place in Bournemouth.

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is an international event that takes place on the same day every year in about 96 countries.

On Sunday, May 23, riders from across Dorset rallied together to take part in the ride and drive from Bournemouth Pier to Poole Quay.

Over 300 riders took part in the local event, which has raised just short of £28,000.

Ride host and teacher at Bournemouth School, Ian McLennan, 56, said: "The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride started in Sydney in 2012 on the basis that men ought to talk about their health.

"From this, 31 cities across the world took part and it has grown over time. There are now 650 rides all over the planet on the same day in about 96 countries.

"I'm very proud of the Bournemouth and Poole ride and we have consistently been the second biggest ride in the UK. A couple of years ago we raised more money than the ride in Scotland.

"I stumbled into being the host of this ride as I did it because it looked fun, and a lot of members of my wife's family have had prostate cancer.

"As I work at a grammar school for boys, I decided to introduce the ride to them because if you get boys to talk about their health, they might remember it for when they are men or talk about it with their father, grandfather and so on."

Due to Covid restrictions, participants couldn't assemble in groups of more than 30 riders.

Ian and his fellow organisers worked with BCP council make this year’s ride happen, and groups of 30 were set off one at a time through a staggered start.

Despite the restrictions in place, morale and the number of donations was high.

Ian said: "We had about 300 riders in total and we've raised just short of £28,000. We're still counting donations so I'm expecting the total to reach around £30k, which should put us as number 15 in the world, only two places behind Chicago which is pretty impressive.

"Every penny is going towards support for the charity (Movember), which also helps us locally.

"We're very pleased of all the hard work and we're proud of the team and everybody involved."