Cycle race for victim of hit-and-run
THE ANNUAL Memorial Ride by the Randall M Februarie (RMF) Foundation in memory of the late cyclist is to take place on Sunday.
The race will see riders line up at the Killarney racetrack in Table View, where they will be doing laps from 8am until around 1pm, to celebrate the life of Randall Februarie, who was killed in a hit-and-run incident on July 31, 2016 while on his morning practice ride in Thornton. The RMF Foundation, founded by his widow Celeste Februarie, has been set up to fund and assist cyclists, mainly in underprivileged communities.
“Losing a parent is never easy, no matter the circumstance or what segment of time in your life the loss occurred,” Celeste said when speaking about what the memorial race means to her. “The grief softens, but never leaves us. When holidays roll around it is always a painful reminder of the hole in our hearts.
“The days without my husband or the kids’ father are emphasised during their birthdays and holidays,” she said. “After spending those times with heartache, I decided to manifest comfort and joy into those times by honouring my late husband by starting this foundation.”
The foundation is assisting Phoenix Cycling Club, based in Somerset West, and the Cedar Cycling Club, in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain. The aim of the memorial event is twofold: “to create awareness for cyclists on our roads and to honour a fallen team member who lost his life doing something he loved, as well as for the upliftment and awareness of the sport as a whole in the community”, Celeste said.
She added that although cycling was a great and fascinating sport that would keep on growing, attracting sponsors still proved a difficult task.
“In cycling, finding sponsorship is not a walk in the park. I struggle to find investors willing to step forward and put their money into the sport. The lack of a visible return and no interest in cycling are common reasons. Cycling does not receive much TV coverage and media attention, making it not as enticing for potential sponsors,” she added.
Celeste said the intention was to provide all participants in the memorial race with a medal and refreshments upon completion of the route. The foundation has been supported by sponsors such as Hammer Nutrition, Herbalife, Adidas, as well as the African News Agency. – African News Agency (ANA)