Ben Ely

Why am I doing this

The 2025 edition of the Distinguished Gentleman’s ride is coming around again and once again I am asking for your help to raise some money for an incredibly worthy cause.

Now, these are the reasons why I am taking part and asking for your help to raise much needed funds for a truly worthy cause.

The first reason I do this is to raise money for support of men and their families who are dealing with the effects of prostate cancer. Like many of you have likely experienced, my family was rocked when my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His diagnoses came following a trip to the doctors regarding an un-related issue and simply asking to be tested. He had none of the common symptoms but requested the checks due to his age following seeing an advert about getting checked out in a motorcycle magazine. The doctor scheduled a blood test to check his PSA levels. He was then called in for a more test following the results of this blood test.  It was then confirmed that he did have prostate cancer; it wasn't aggressive and only needed monitoring as it was at an early stage. He still had no symptoms and only needed to have regular month blood test to monitor his PSA levels. However, in late 2019 and became obvious through his regular check-ups and test, that the cancer was becoming more aggressive and by mid-January 2020, the risk of it spreading in his body was becoming much, much higher. He was given options to either have chemotherapy or have his prostate removed. Given that the chemotherapy has no guarantee of success, but will still make you feel awful, my dad made the decision to have the operation. My dad operation was scheduled for the 3rd of March 2020. This was around the time that Covid was becoming a big issue elsewhere in the world. Thankfully, the operation was completed successfully and only a few weeks before the Covid lockdown started. This year I will be riding this event with my dad and my brother. Something that so easily could have been taken away. I am convinced that if my dad hadn't of had that check-up when he did, he wouldn't be here today. All because of a small advert in a magazine that made him think about being checked. Even to the day of his operation, he had no noticeable symptoms of this illness that could have so easily taken his life.

I know of other people who haven’t been as lucky and have lost their lives to prostate cancer, some that never even knew they had it until it was too late. Hopefully by taking part in events like this, we can help raise awareness and help beat this awful disease.

The second reason I take part in this event is for men’s mental health. A topic that simply doesn't get spoken about enough. Us blokes simply don’t talk enough. I have personally suffered with my own mental health. I have been in a room full of family and friends and yet felt lonely. I have felt like no matter what I do, I cannot get it right. I got help towards the end of last year through campaigns backed by Movember, and I see this as an opportunity to give something back to those who helped me. I know of other men around me, both professionally and personally that have suffered. Did you know that in 2023 for than ¾ of all reported suicides were men? That 4506 people that lost their lives.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, please feel free to donate using the link below if you wish. Last year I set a target of £500 to help try and make a difference. With the help of many of you, I raised £1057. I was simply blown away with everyone’s generosity, hopefully we can raise a similar amount again this year.