The man affectionately known as ‘Gaff’ will be one of 60 riders on Sunday who will start the NSW Black Dog Ride.

The riders will cover 2700 kilometres in a week, leaving Brunswick Heads before travelling to Texas in Queensland, back to Nambucca Heads, to Chinchilla, Bathurst, Cooma, Batemans Bay and through the Shoalhaven before finishing in Penrith.

“We will be passing through the Shoalhaven Saturday week,” Mr Gaffney said.

“We will leave Batemans Bay at 9am so should be coming through Nowra from 10am. It would be great to see some support on the side of the road as we travel through.”

The Black Dog Rides were launched in 2009 by founder Steve Andrews, who after the death of close mate’s wife, undertook a solo month long motorbike journey around Australia, raising $34,000 for the Suicide Call Back Service, engaging thousands of Australians with his message of awareness.

Since the inaugural ride, Steve has built Black Dog Ride into a national suicide prevention charity which has coordinated 141 Black Dog Rides to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention. Hundreds of community events have also been organised bringing people together to foster a culture of mental health awareness.

“I can’t wait for the ride,” Mr Gaffney said.

“It will be fantastic to finally meet a number of people I have spoken to over the phone while organising our own local events.”

Founder Steve Andrews will also be taking part in the ride.

“To meet Steve and take part in the ride with him will be special,” Mr Gaffney said.

“He’s flying his bike over from WA, doing a conference and then joining us on the ride.”

On board his trusty 2013 Harley Super Glide Custom, Mr Gaffney is looking forward to the ride.

“I’ve never done anything like this before so it will be a new experience but will also be exciting,” he said.

“It will be a challenge. There will definitely be some tough parts and a couple long days in the saddle.”

He thanked a number of local firms that have backed his efforts along with Shoalhaven Ethanol customers who have put their loose change into a collection container on the counter.

“We’ve raised a couple of hundred dollars so far which will go towards the South Coast Ride. That support is much appreciated,” he said.

Locally, the South Coast Black Dog Ride will he held again next year on March 19, with Mr Gaffney set to ramp up preparations with flyers to be distributed next month.

Last year’s one-day ride from Nowra to Batemans Bay attracted 120 riders.