TEAMWORK:
MOMENTS after crossing the finish line of a recent 170km cycle race, a 12-year-old boy with Down Syndrome, autism and epilepsy felt like repeating the race the next day.
Recalling a comment the shy David Klinkradt, of Durbanville, made when he was asked at the end of the 170km PPA (Pedal Power Association) Enjoy 1 Tonner race whether he would participate in next year’s race, his mother Mary Klinkradt said: “He loved it.
“When we asked him if he is going to do it again next year, he said no, he wants to do it tomorrow. He liked it that much.”
As David’s disabilities don’t allow him to physically peddle a bicycle, he rode the race in a cycle-buggy pulled along by six cyclists from Stellenbosch, up Helshoogte Pass to Wellington, past Riebeek Kasteel, through to Malmesbury and back to Stellenbosch.
The cycling team comprised Brett Chilcott, Rory van Zyl, John Wakefield, Carlos Rodriguez, Gavin Rousseau, William Wakefield and young David.
They completed the race in six hours and 24 minutes.
They raced to raise aware- ness and funds for the Raising Hope South Africa non-profit organisation, which David’s 14- year- old sister Ashlyn Klinkradt started in Durbanville last year.
Raising Hope SA supports and raises funds for three charity projects: Hampers of Hope in Brackenfell; Homeschool Hope; and Parent Support, which operates in partnership with Rare Diseases SA.
Hampers of Hope feeds poor families of pupils at the Paarl School for the neurologically impaired during the school holidays.
Homeschool Hope assists and guides families of home- schooling children with disabilities and special education needs. The last one provides support to families whose children have recently received a diagnosis of a rare illness.
“Our target was to raise about R15 000. We’ve raised about R5 000 so far, but we are still hoping for people to come forward with more donations,” said Mary.
Donations and sponsorships can still be made by emailing info@raisinghopesa.com or calling 074 934 6279.
Chilcott said he previously teamed up with David in three Argus Cycle Tours.