Bell of Hope event on track

Everything is on track for the Bell of Hope Cycle Challenge for Mental Wellness, director of Ebenezer House Charmaine Hennings says.

The challenge was initiated to raise funds to sustain Ebenezer House – a non-profit organisation located in Witpoortjie.

Adults suffering from bipolar depression and schizophrenia are taken care of at the home, and they receive a monthly subsidy from the Department of Health to this end.

“However, the subsidy is very irregular, and at times we go without payment for four or five months at a time,” says Hennings.

“We often find ourselves in a dire financial position – this is where fundraising becomes vital.”

The event is organised to celebrate National Bipolar Day and will be taking place on Sunday 25 May. The challenge route runs through the Cradle of Humankind and participants have a choice between either the 50km ride, or the 15km fun ride for the not-so-fit participants and children. It will start and finish at Valverde Country Hotel.

The 50km challenge is set to start at 7.30am while the fun ride will start from 8am.

Residents can enter online through Cycle Events at www.cycleevents.co.za and online entries cost R100 per person for both the 50km and 15km challenges. Late entries will cost R120 per person for both challenges respectively.

“As it is not a timed event no prizes will be handed out, but we will have lucky draws,” Hennings says.

For further information or to obtain the route map, contact the Ebenezer office on 011 955 6595.