Dawkins changing wheels for a cause

Eddie Dawkins (right) with Sam Webster at last year's Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Photo / File

Cycling world champion and Commonwealth Games medallist Eddie Dawkins is swapping his racing bike for a Harley Davidson next week to lead a motorcycle rally to raise awareness of dementia.

Dawkins and coach Anthony Peden will lead the rally from Auckland to Taupo, via Rotorua, in support of Alzheimers New Zealand on March 20 and 21.

Two of Dawkins' grand-parents have been affected by dementia, making him one of every two New Zealanders who knows or have known someone with the condition.

It is estimated around 53,000 New Zealanders have dementia, a number forecast to triple to around 150,000 by 2050 as the population ages.

Dawkins and Peden will appear at a public event in Rotorua on Saturday, March 21, from 10.30am to 11.30am, at 'The Hub' behind QE Health.

Mobile food van Stone Soup will be selling nachos and real fruit icecream and frozen yoghurt, and autographs will be available.

"Dementia has had a big impact on my family and it was important for me to be able to do something like this to help New Zealanders understand more about dementia," Dawkins said.

"In particular, I'm keen to let New Zealanders know that there are things they can do to reduce their risk of developing dementia, by eating well, keeping active and staying engaged in their communities."

Alzheimers New Zealand executive director Catherine Hall said they were excited to be involved with Dawkins' motorcycle rally and encouraged New Zealanders to support him in his efforts.

- For more about Dawkins' Ride for Dementia visit www.alzheimers.org.nz. Anyone wanting to join the rally should email comms@alzheimers.-org.nz or call 04 387 8264.