VICTORIAN Billy Dettmer will on Sunday, July 12, take to the open road and ride for a cause that is close to his heart: to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis services, care and research.
Billy, from Frankston, south of Melbourne, decided to organise a leisurely motorcycle ride around Port Phillip Bay to raise much-needed funds for Multiple Sclerosis Ltd after his sister was diagnosed with the disease.
Billy, a full-time paramedic, has also transported patients with MS for the last twenty years. MS is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system with over 23,000 people living with the disease in Australia and more than two million diagnosed worldwide. There is currently no known cure for MS.
He has been riding motorcycles since 1973 and has also been a paramedic at racing events at Broadford’s State Motorcycle Sports Complex. “I ride everywhere, everyday” Billy, who rides a Yamaha XJR1300 and a Honda ST1100, said.
“I wanted the ride to reflect MS, which is a journey in itself,” Billy said. “People who have it have good days and bad so I thought that if I made it a mid-winter ride it would really challenge people because a lot don’t like riding in the rain,” Billy said.
The ‘Ride Around the Bay for MS’ will leave from Frankston Pier at 8.30am, will work its way up the Mornington Peninsula Freeway, and make a pit stop at Port Melbourne’s Yacht Club, at the junction of Bay and Beach Streets for coffee.
From there the ride will then head to the Geelong Waterfront for lunch and will take the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento, where Billy will draw out a raffle prize, an acoustic guitar signed by some of the country’s finest players, for one lucky rider.
Billy is also the founder and Artistic Director of the Frankston Guitar Festival & the Mornington Swing ‘N’ Blues Affair.
Motorcycling Victoria, a non-profit organisation for motorcycle sport and recreation in Victoria, is getting behind the event. MV’s Chief Executive Officer Wayne Holdsworth would like to commend Billy on his admirable efforts to help others.
“Billy exemplifies how close-knit and considerate Victoria’s motorcycling community can be. It’s great to see riders responsibly revving their engines for a worthwhile cause,” Wayne said.
The ride will then head onto Arthur’s Seat and back to Frankston. “Rain, hail or shine, we’ll be riding to the conditions to ensure we all return safe and sound. It’ll be a fantastic day,” he added.
To make a lifesaving donation to MS please visit: www.ms.org.au. The ride costs just $20, which includes a ticket for the raffle.
To register your interest in the ‘Ride Around the Bay for MS’ please contact Billy Dettmer at bdettmer@optusnet.com.au or 0425 792 691.
