Greg Kelly will be at Auckland events on September 22 & 29
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Auckland, September 15, 2018
Gold Coaster and Harley Davidson Rider Greg Kelly will be in Auckland to participate in two events commencing at the Mt Wellington Showroom of Harley Davidson on September 22 and September 29, 2018.
Greg Kelly (Picture from Facebook)
Alzheimer’s Awareness
The Auckland Chapter of Harley Owners Group (HOG) is involved with the events being organised by promote greater awareness of Dementia, associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Greg is committed to riding the length and breadth of Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America to raise awareness of ‘Young Onset Dementia’ worldwide.
Greg has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia and has been given a life expectancy of two to ten years.
He has therefore decided to be proactive about ‘making a difference’ while he can.
Following is an excerpt from the website of ‘Dementia Australia.’
Greg, an ex-Financial Services Executive, is one of 25,938 people living with dementia under the age of 65.
Family shocked
The diagnosis came as a big shock to Greg and his family, but his determination to never give-up will see him take to his motorbike to raise funds and awareness, for everyone living with this condition.
He recently launched his big ride, ‘Kell’s Ride for The Future,’ at Alzheimer’s Australia, ‘A Night of Stars’ Gala in Brisbane, which raised over A$ 25,000 to fund the ongoing dementia support services around the State of Queensland.
“In my previous life, I was a high achieving individual, working in the financial sector for some of the largest organisations in Australia. I have always had an active lifestyle and excelled in many sports, but after being diagnosed, I admit it was a big shock and a setback,” he said.
Greg said that he intends to ride his Harley across the three countries (Australia, New Zealand and USA) with the support of Alzheimer’s Australia and Harley-Davidson.
Big Challenge
“It will be a big challenge, but through the rides, I hope to raise as much awareness as possible about this condition by talking to everyone I meet. I will also talk about the pressures it can place on a family, especially when they are diagnosed younger in life,” Greg said.
He said that people do not realise that dementia is the second highest killer in Australia and the third highest in the USA and New Zealand.
“Everything I raise will go towards providing support and care for people living with dementia through Alzheimer’s Australia in each country and state. I have always operated my entire life and business with a diary and Alzheimer’s was not in my diary,” Greg said.
Here are links to Greg’s Great Project:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/kellsride/posts/
The Auckland Hog Chapter of Harley Davidson have agreed to Greg’s request to host him (and his wife Janet) on a couple of rides at the start of his five-week New Zealand leg.
If you would like to share his itinerary to ride further with his team, please contact Marty Pouwels on 021-976017 or email: publicrelations@aucklandhog.org.nz
Kell’s Ride: The Schedule
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Venue: Harley Davidson Dealer Store, 521 Mount Wellington Highway, Auckland.
The dealership will open early (7 am). Greg will arrive at 8 am.
Greg would meet and chat with members of the Auckland Chapter of HOG, dealership staff, customers and members of Dementia New Zealand, The Centre for Brain Research and Westpac (New Zealand’s Dementia-Friendly Bank).
He will share his passion and tell the story of his journey with dementia.
Greg will then ride (at 930 pm) to Taupo via Tauranga. Members of HOG Auckland Chapter will ride with him to Morrinsville, before returning to Auckland.
Documentary Film
The New Zealand event will be filmed by Elizabeth McLeish (from the New York Film Academy) for a full feature length documentary, ‘Kell’s Ride for the Future – a Cure.’
You can watch Kell’s first 10 Minute-Documentary here:
https://www.gofundme.com/kellsrideforacure
Ms McLeish will also speak to the people present at the event.
Elizabeth McLeish (Centre) with Janet Kelly and others (Facebook)
Community Events
Greg has a presentation prepared for larger community events that he would attend during the Rides and talk to dealers, staff and customers of Harley Davidson.
An Early, Easy Ride
On Saturday, September 22, 2018, the Auckland Chapter of HOG has arranged a scenic and relaxing ride with Greg.
The group will leave the Mt Wellington dealership Harley Davidson at 1 pm for Maraetai in East Auckland.
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