Between working on the Armygeddon 6×6 Land Rover and Project Digger LTD, co-organising the epic Running on Empty Festival in 2018, and even an extended tenure working at Street Machine Summernats (including a stint as mascot Clunka), Ben Hewlett is practically a household name among the street machining fraternity.

He’s a mate of Carnage, The Thongslappers podcast, and just about everybody else he’s crossed paths with, so it’s no surprise his latest adventure is for a great cause.

Benny has just started a 3600-kilometre ride along the east coast, from Echuca to Townsville atop his Harley Davidson Sportster, raising money for the Black Dog Institute along the way.

The charity organisation provides support, community courses, and research into mental health struggles. Benny’s no stranger to the ups and downs of life himself, as he plans to explain as he continues his journey up the coast.

As of this morning, over $5000 has so far been raised for the Institute, already smashing Benny’s expected total of about $1800. Day 1 saw him cruise down from the Murray, dropping in to chat with Scotty at Carnage HQ before arriving wet and bedraggled in Phillip Island.

There’s still time to lend your support to Benny’s cause on his Black Dog Institute page, where you can also follow along as he documents the epic journey.