Top End goal for rider

MANY men prefer not to talk about prostate cancer, but not Leigh Wilkins.

The Point Cook resident is part of a group of motorcyclists determined to teach men about how dangerous the cancer can be and how to protect themselves from it.

The group, which comprises riders from around Australia, will make its way to Cairns in May to raise research money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Mr Wilkins and other riders from Victoria will head off on the 10,000-kilometre “Long Ride” on May 4, travelling through central Victoria and NSW before meeting other participants in Sydney and heading into outback Queensland. They will stop in towns and cities before arriving in Cairns.

“The idea [is] that each rider makes their presence known along the route and encourages the people of these towns to face the issues of men’s health and especially prostate cancer,” Mr Wilkins says.

“At the same time each rider is encouraged to raise as many funds as possible to be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.”

Mr Wilkins hopes to raise $15,000. To boost his chances of reaching his fund-raising target, he will also ride home from Cairns, stopping in as many towns as possible.

More details: phone 0417 437 197 or email leigh.wilkins@bigpond.com.