Pedal power to boost education
PLETTENBERG BAY - A group of locals are set to embark on an epic mountain biking challenge to raise funds for a worthy cause.
They will be cycling about 150km in the Nieu-Bethesda area in the Eastern Cape that features some hair-raising elevation over two days. The ride has become known as the Legends Loop and is done to raise funds for the non-profit organisation Lunchbox Theatre – an educational company that brings awareness to children about social and environmental issues through the medium of theatre.
Founder Stuart Palmer says he had found that theatre engages children more than "chalk and talk" classroom outreach attempts. Lunchbox Theatre also offers after-school activities where children are taught about dance and drama and acquire life skills such as confidence, teamwork, goal setting, punctuality and discipline in the process.
In the 14 years that the initiative has been running, the team has done close to 900 performances and reached about 190 000 children. The topics of these performances cover anything from tree planting and recycling to issues around HIV/Aids and child abduction.
About fundraising, Palmer says that it is worthwhile to know that every cent raised touches many lives. He explains that the message being brought to children not only impacts on the children in the audience, but seeps into the lives of their families, friends and future families. "The legacy of the money raised will live forever. The longevity of the work that we do at Lunchbox Theatre is never-ending," he says.
The group of locals taking on the challenge include Palmer, Tina van Reenen, Matt Covarr, Mark and Marianne Moffett, Mariella Rossi, Paul Oosthuizen, Debbie and Mike Fermor, Jantie Oosthuizen, Wayne Unser, Heidi Lamont, Andrejs Toropovs, John Donald, Jane Donald, Christiaan Oosthuizen and James Gardiner. To support the initiative, donations can be made on their website https://lunchbox.org.za.