Greg ‘Kell’ Kelly is riding the length and breadth of New Zealand, Australia and the USA on his Harley Davidson motorcycle to raise funds and awareness for Younger Onset Dementia.
Diagnosed with the incurable disease, in particular Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), in January 2016, Kell, as he is more commonly known, completed the Australian leg of his motorbike journey in 2017 and is now making his way through the country for the next five weeks, for the second phase of his ‘Turning the Lights on Young Onset Dementia Worldwide’ trip.
“There is no cure for Dementia, it is a terminal disease, but I will fight this with everything I have. There are some drugs that may slow it down for a short time, but it won’t stop it from robbing me of my life,” says Kell, “I am taking steps to keep my brain and body healthy by altering my diet and lifestyle as well as doing some personal challenges, this ride included.”
“There won’t be a cure before the disease gets me, but I want to turn money into research to get the answer for others. Then I’ve done something.”
Riding motorbikes since he was 10 years old, Kell is calling for anyone who has ever ridden a motorcycle to get behind him and support the cause.
Documentary filmmaker Elizabeth McLeish has been following Kell’s progress in Australia and created a short length doco entitled, ‘Kell’s Ride for the Future’, the name of Kell’s motorcycle ride around the three nations.
The film has gone on to win three awards so far and inspired Elizabeth to create ‘Kell’s Ride for a Cure’, where she will be documenting his journey as he visits research centres, speaks with the media, politicians and local communities around the country.
Kell and his crew will be travelling to the region from Picton and a delegation will be meeting him in Havelock to escort him into Nelson.
Delegate organiser and motorcyclist Steve Page says everyone is welcome and is asking fellow motorcycle riders from all over the region to join in.
The group will meet at local Harley Davidson dealer Filco Harley on Sunday, October 7, and Steve says everyone needs to be prepared to leave at 11am sharp. They will travel in convoy on the motorbikes and meet up with Kell in Havelock to escort him back to Filco Harley where Dave Filer and his team are hosting a BBQ meet and greet.
Travelling to Westport the next day, Monday, October 8, Barry Forsyth, publican/owner of one of Westport’s more popular establishments – McManus Hotel – is stoked to play a part in Kell’s campaign and has donated accommodation, dinner and breakfast for Kell, his support driver Arjan and filmmaker Elizabeth.
The team are in need of accommodation in Picton on their way back to Auckland, for the night of Sunday, October 21.
If anyone is willing to donate a room for Kell and Arjan, and one for Elizabeth, please contact Kell’s wife Janet on 0211332061
To make a monetary donation to Kell’s cause head to the Go Fund me page at: www.gofundme.com/kells-ride-for-the-future.
To follow Kell’s journey, simply like their Facebook page and follow the updates: www.facebook.com/kellsride/