Motorbike ride to raise awareness of mental health

The team would be riding on a custom Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 motorcycle

Four former Royal Marines have set off on a 1,664 mile (2677.95 km) motorcycle ride to raise awareness of suicide prevention.

The team began their journey on Sunday from Plymouth and will go to each Royal Marines Unit in the UK over a week long journey.

They aimed to raise money for the Royal Marines Charity and awareness of suicide prevention.

Aldo Kane and Paul White will take it in turns to ride the motorbike, with Al Chambers MBE and Billy Perhan in a support vehicle

The motorbike was originally donated, auctioned off, and then donated back to the charity

Mr Kane said: "The charity have a campaign called 'Lifting the Lid' so it's essentially about raising awareness ... having a chat and trying to give yourself the best possible foundations for good mental health."

He added: "We've had a sort of mantra of stiff up a lip and just crack on, but, you know, that isn't really working."

Billy Perhan, served in the Royal Marines for 32 years, and said towards the end of his time in the Royal Marines he was impacted by individuals in the Royal Marines taking their own lives and was looking for ways to make a difference.

"When I left ... I joined the Samaritans as a listening volunteer, which I've been doing for the last two years, and I've realised, not just veterans, but across the population how powerful a conversation between two people can be."

Mr Chambers added: "It's called the Brotherhood Ride for a reason.

"We're very lucky to have been part of that Royal Marines Brotherhood which starts at training, and then carries on for the rest of your life... but those brotherhoods are not unique to the Royal Marines."

'Start a conversation'

The group explained at each unit the group would collect a letter from the commanding officer and a plaque.

These would be framed and part of the auction alongside the motorbike at the Guildhall Dinner in London in November with a target of £80,000.

Mr Perhan aded they would be providing each unit with a wellbeing pack.

"What I would like to achieve is if we can start a conversation ... across all ranks that people feel comfortable talking to someone else if they're struggling ... and we can prevent one suicide in the next year, or beyond this has been an absolute resounding success."