American Motorcycle Club holds charity ride for Alzheimer's Australia Newcastle Branch

The club has organised the Dementia Run, which will take place on April 30, raising funds for the Newcastle branch of Alzheimer’s Australia.

Club members Craig O’Brien and Michael Wheatley have experienced first-hand the heartache that families go through when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia.

Mr O’Brien’s father Ernie has dementia, as does Mr Wheatley’s mother Maureen. Both are now both in full-time care.

An estimated 1.2 million Australians are caring for someone with dementia, which is the second-leading cause of death in Australia, and has no cure.

Figures released in February, prepared for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW by Deloitte Access Economics, show the number of people estimated to be living with dementia in NSW has risen to almost 115,000.

In the Cessnock state electorate there is estimated to be 1150 people living with dementia, which is expected to increase to an estimated 1300 people by 2020 and 2800 by 2050.

The motorcycle club has set a target of $50,000 for the Dementia Run, to help with research and support for carers.

Mr Wheatley, the club president, said every little bit would make a difference.

“People can create greatness through unity,” he said.

“Imagine if all state and country made a donation to the cure with a small $2 donation, the greatness that would be achieved towards the fight of this insidious disease.

“People are being robbed of their lives.

“They cannot speak, they cannot move, although through their eyes you see the torture, the anguish, the pain, the sadness.”

The event will start at Stockton RSL on Saturday morning with a car, truck and bike show plus breakfast from 9am.

The ride will depart at 11am and will travel along the Hunter Expressway to Greta, where it will conclude at Tattersalls Hotel around 3pm.

Donations can be made at gofundme.com/xstbntv8.