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Two Bay firefighters – fighting a different cause with fellow brigade members from throughout the country – last night pulled up in Tauranga as part of a large convoy of bikies.

Dropping hoses for leathers to ride into Tauranga en-route from Auckland on the way to Invercargill, Greerton volunteer firefighters John Burkett and David Yeo are fighting to raise awareness of cancer and money for The Cancer Society of New Zealand.

Red Knights Motorcycle Club in Tauranga last night. Photos by Tracy Hardy.

They are among 30 others – including firefighters and members of the public – participating in the Firefighters Ride for Cancer 2013 so far – which began Tuesday in Auckland and concludes at the Burt Munro Challenge in Invercargill next Thursday, November 28.

Escorted from Bethlehem into Tauranga via a fire truck with lights flashing, the firefighters-turned-bikies will cover a distance of 3822 km one-way.

David says he's enjoying the ride so far – and he expects more riders to join the event as it pit-stops in more towns – with last year ending up with about 200 taking part.

'It's fantastic so far. We have had rain sun, rain, sun and more of rain and sun,” says David.

In its second year, the event is the brainchild of Auckland firefighter Rob Appleton, who came up with the fundraising venture after attending a third funeral service in the space of a year for a colleague who died of cancer.

'I decided there had to be something I could do to contribute to fighting cancer and its devastating effects on our communities,” says Rob.

Rob contacted the Cancer Society of New Zealand asking if they would like to be the benefactor.

Suddenly, the event became a national fundraiser in memory of firefighters and New Zealanders lost to cancer; aiming to raise awareness and research funds to combat the deadly disease.

'There's not a single person in New Zealand that hasn't been touched by cancer in some way, either personally, or through family, friends, work colleagues,” says Rob.

Greerton firefighter David, who has been volunteering for 12 months, has joined the ride in honour of family members he has lost to cancer.

He is being accompanied by fellow Greerton volunteers John and Andy on the ride.

'I lost my father to cancer when I was 12 and lost my uncle last year to cancer as well. I try and support the Cancer Society when I can, using the fire service as a medium to get the word out there and help raise funds.”

David says people can donate via: www.rideforcancer.org.nz

'If they know someone who is doing the ride then they can sponsor each person. Each person sets themselves a goal of how much they want to raise.”

Last year, the event raised slightly more than $40,000 for The Cancer Society of New Zealand, which gave it to the University of Otago's Social and Behavioural Research Unit for its cancer research.

The event also carries a warning message – the importance of early health checks.

'If people are at all worried, direct them to the Cancer Society of New Zealand's website for assistance,” says Rob.

'If tough firemen can go get checked then everyone else can too.”

The Ride:

Wednesday, November 20: Auckland to Tauranga via the Coromandel loop.

Thursday November 21: Tauranga to Taupo via Gisborne.

Friday November 22: Taupo to New Plymouth via Forgotten Highway.

Saturday November 23: New Plymouth to Wellington via Pahiatua.

Sunday November 24: South Island Legross Cook Strait. Picton to Nelson.

Monday November 25: Nelson to Greymouth via the famous Buller Gorge and Westport.

Tuesday November 26: Greymouth to Christchurch via Reefton-Rahua Saddle-Springs Junction and Lewis Pass. Then Christchurch to Hokitika via Arthurs Pass.

Wed November 27: Hokitika to Queenstown via Hasst Pass.

Thurs November 28: Queenstown to Invercargill via Manapouri-Blackmount-Tuatapere-Riverto.