Cyclists gear up for charity ride to Cape Town

CYCLING to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children at state hospitals is what a group of 30 men and women will strive to do when they cycle from East London to Cape Town over a period of four days, beginning Sunday this week.

The group, known as the “Grandad’s Army”, comprises a mixed bunch of people from hospital staff at paediatric wards at Frere Hospital and Cecilia Makiwane, through to members of the general public, all of whom will leave East London for Cape Town on March 4 in the Rob Burton Memorial Ride in a bid to raise at least R250 000.

Event spokeswoman Trystan Viaene said the group would depart at 5am on Sunday and relay their way over the four days, with the aim of ending up in Cape Town on Thursday, March 8, well in time for the Cape Cycle tour.

“The group of riders will cycle in three teams with about 10 in each team, which have been named the Army, Navy and Air Force, which combined form the Grandad’s Army. They will collectively complete the 1 160km journey through to the Western Cape via Middelburg, Willowmore and Swellendam.

“Each group will cycle 100km a day via a relay system which will ensure the group gets to Stellenbosch within the expected period. Ten members of Grandad’s Army will then tackle a further 110km on Sunday, March 12 by taking on this year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour,” said Viaene.

The event has raised more than R750 000 for burn units around East London hospitals through funds donated to the Eyabantwana Trust.

The trust is a non-profit organisation (NPO) established to support the work of Eastern Cape paediatric surgical services.

Paediatric surgeon Mia Elsen, a trustee of the trust, said the event was first cycled four years ago with just seven riders.

It was initiated in honour of East London cyclist Rob Burton, who dreamed of supporting the trust and who died while on a training cycle.

“We have gained a lot of attention over the years and were one of the local heroes for the Daily Dispatch,” he said.

Department of rural development and agrarian reform engineer Jim Armstrong, one of this year’s cyclists, said there was fulfilment in cycling, and doing it for a cause made it all that more worthwhile.

“Most of us here have been running and when you get older, cycling is easier on the bones. Each year we have raised about R250 000 for the children and it’s much needed to improve their health conditions in whatever way we can.

“To ensure all funds raised go towards the trust, cyclists and their supporters cover their own costs,” he said.

Mdantsane Pharmacy owner Andrew Hanger said they trained at least twice a week in preparation for the long ride.

“It’s all about giving back. The best way to invest is in the children who are in need of medical help and we, as those able, can give back by investing our time and money.

“It’s nice to support the Eyabantwana Trust, because with them we see where the money is going and what they are doing and the people whose lives are being impacted,” he said. —