Pedal for a purpose
Make kilometres count for hospice
IT'S time to pedal for a purpose again this year, as the annual St Bernard’s Hospice Cycle Challenge draws closer. With the “Pedal for a Purpose” cycle challenge less than a month away, the closing date for entries to participate is on March 11.
The three-day fun event – from March 21 to 23 – will this year take place from East London to Stutterheim and Komani and then back, to raise funds for hospice patients living with life-threatening illnesses such as motor neuron disease, TB, HIV/Aids and cancer.
According to St Bernard's Hospice chief executive Melissa Knox, all funds raised goes towards the care and support of patients in the hospice’s palliative care programme.
“The end of one’s life deserves as much beauty, care and respect as the beginning.
“Whether it is a family member, friend or a colleague, we all know of someone who has suffered terribly from a debilitating illness.
“Hospice is not only about the end of one’s life as some of our cancer patients are in remission. TB patients who have taken their medication as prescribed by their doctor are healed and our HIV patients are able to manage their illness by taking their medication on a regular basis and living healthy lifestyles,” Knox said.
She said local corporates and the cyclists have been absolutely amazing by helping to raise funds to meet their financial target of R150000 for this year’s edition of the cycle challenge.
She said that the safety of the cyclists and motorists were of the utmost importance with Alderson Anderson escorting the group for most of the way. There will also be an ambulance on standby.
For the first two days, the journey to Komani is marked by many uphill climbs and it will be tough going.
Coming back on March 23, it might be more of a downhill ride, but it will also be tough as it is much longer than what local cyclists are used to.
Members of the public can sponsor a cyclist for as little as R1/km – or pledge an amount to St Bernard’s Hospice.
“They can also donate even just R50 a month to our organisation and become a Hospice Hero,” Knox said.
Companies or individuals looking to donate towards this worthy cause, can contact Marchel Brown on (043) 721-0051 or fundraising1@stbh.org.za .