Month: August 2017

KELL’S RIDE FOR DEMENTIA AWARENESS.

~ creakingbones ~ 6 Comments

A few weeks back I saw a small piece in a newspaper about a youngish man called Greg Kelly( Kell) who had recently been diagnosed with a rare form of dementia known as Frontotemporal Dementia(FTD) at the relatively young age of 59.

The article went on to relate how Greg was committed to raising awareness of young onset dementia worldwide by committing to ride his Harley Davidson motorbike the length and breadth of Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

Whilst having a yarn with another Ulysses Motor Cycle Club mate, the subject of Greg’s ride came up and I learned that in the latest issue of Riding On, the Ulysses Club magazine, there was a full article about Greg, his fight with dimentia and his planned ride.

Reading the article was a real eye opener and I learned that Greg intended to visit and speak at as many venues as he could and already had a number of well known sponsors.

My next surprise was contained in an email from my Harley Owners Club Chapter that Greg would be at Canberra Harley Davidson, in Canberra obviously,  on Saturday 19th August, 2017 for a b-b-q breakfast, mingle and yarn.

When SWMBO and I arrived at the dealership, quite a number of our Chapter mates were already enjoying the steaming hot sausage sandwiches. The freezing cold and icy wind didn’t interfere with the mingling mob.

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CHAPTER VOLUNTEERS MANNING THE BBQ
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SWMBO ENJOYING THE TRADITIONAL SAUSAGE SANGA

Not long after I took the above image, I recognisd Greg( also known as Kell) from a photo I’d seen in the Ulysses Club magazine. He came straight up to us, introduced himself and immediately gave SWMBO a big hug. Fortunately SWMBO had finished eating.

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GREG ALREADY KNEW THEY HAD SOMETHING IN COMMON.
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SWMBO WARMED TO GREG’S PRESENCE AND THE LOOK ON THEIR FACES SAYS IT ALL.

Greg told us a lot about his diagnosis, his prognosis in the single figures and how he intended to complete as much of his bucket list as he could with the ittle time he had left.

His positive attitude was infectious and his sense of humour as he spoke about himself was indicitave of he man he is.

Later he took centre stage and spoke about his diagnosis, how his wife, children and friends were providing enormous support and encouraged him to continue his plan to bring dementia into the light.

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GREG GIVING A SHORT, HUMOROUS  ADDRESS THAT BROUGHT A LAUGH  FROM  JOHN, THE DEALERSHIP PRINCIPAL AND THE AUDIENCE.

As Greg’s address came to a close, Cowboy, our chapter’s Assistant Director, presented Greg with a donation of $250.00 towards his campaign.

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GREG, JOHN, OUR DEALER PRINCIPAL AND COWBOY, OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AT THE CHEQUE PRESENTATION.

Not long afterwards, with Greg following the ride leader, the chapter left for a run around Canberra and environs to show Greg the delights of the Nation’s Capital.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a shot of Greg aboard his Harley  but I was able to catch a shot of Paul, Greg’s mate and support vehicle driver, as he in turn photographed Greg aboard his Harley at the head of the ride.

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GREG’S BEST MATE, PAUL, GO PRO IN ACTION,  AS GREG AND THE MOB RIDE PAST.

It was an honour and a privilege to shake hands with Greg and his talk with SWMBO did wonders for her outlook on dementia.

We intend to support Greg through https://www.gofundme.com/kells-ride-for-the-future  and you can follow his progress at http://www.facebook.com/kellsride/

Hoo roo for now