This will be the second year Ōhope motorcyclist Marty Harlow has taken to the road to raise funds for a cause close to his heart.

“Last year we did a ride and raised money for youth mental health.

“It was a great success and a lot of fun, so we decided we would make it an annual event,” Mr Harlow said.

This year, Mr Harlow, along with friends and family, will ride around the East Cape to support baby Miller Morton and his parents, Ella Barnfield and Alex Morton.

One-year-old Miller recently suffered a brain injury and faces a long and uncertain road of rehabilitation.

“There is a long road ahead for Miller, Ella and Alex and we want to do what we can to ease the financial burden of what is to come.

“Every donation no matter how small will help him and his family with his journey ahead.”

Mr Harlow said his connection to the family was personal, with Miller’s grandfather living next door.

“We’re close friends and it’s a tight-knit community where we live.”

The ride will take place from January 30 to February 1, with around 10 to 15 riders taking part, including Mr Harlow’s parents, friends from Auckland, and others from Thames.

The group will camp the first night at Te Araroa Holiday Park, and the second night at Tatapouri Bay in Gisborne, where 10 campsites were offered for free.

“The ride itself is beautiful. We stop along the way to see the sights, and we also have a support ute with us in case of breakdowns — last year we had a couple,” he said. “There’s a real mix of bikes too, from modern machines through to older models.”

The ride will finish with a barbecue at Mr Harlow’s Ōhope home.

A third-generation motorcyclist, Mr Harlow said his grandfather was a racer from England.

“And my father has ridden bikes all his life, so it’s always been part of me.”

Funds are being raised through the Givealittle page “Marty Party charity ride for Miller Morton,” which reached $17,000 yesterday.