The NSW contingent of the 2017 Black Dog ride left from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Tuesday, with Wayne Amor, Greg Markwick and Brett McCarthy among the 75 taking part.

They will meet up with groups from other states and territories on the way, eventually making it to Hobart as a group of more than 300 on Sunday, November 5.

The trio left Dubbo on Monday, aided by Walgett’s Roy Kerr and Queenslander Shaun Drady, who were driving a support vehicle provided to the ride by Western Plains Automotive and a trailer from local Barry Wheldon.

“It’s a quite a momentous year. We are heading to Tassie this year with 75 riders heading off from the War Memorial at Canberra,” Mr Amor, who is also the Black Dog Ride’s NSW co-ordinator, said.

“This year we are raising awareness and funds for our heroes, our ex-servicemen, our first responders, such as police fire and ambulance.”

The 2017 ride is called “Even heroes need a hand”, recognising that people in those professions suffer greater rates of mental illness and suicide.

The goal is to raise $200,000 to fund the training of 500 ex and serving defence force and emergency service personnel in mental health first aid.

It would give workers the knowledge to identify when someone was suffering a mental health crisis and understand how to support them and keep them from self harm.

“We hope that fundraising will allow us to provide 500 scholarships to guys and girls who desperately need to look after their own health when they are trying to to look after our well being,” Mr Amor said.

All of the riders will have a companion for the journey in the Black Dog Ride’s mascot Winston, a soft toy black dog.

Lifeline 131 114, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, beyondblue 1300 224 636