Riders get together for a good cause

More than 60 mountain bikers made their way to to 44one Race Track in Ruimsig to support Cranio Fun Bike Day. The event was hosted by Cranio Kids South Africa, a support group aimed at raising awareness for craniosynnostosis.

Craniosynnostosis is a birth defect in which one or more of the joints between the bones of a baby’s skull close prematurely before their brain is fully formed.

With this said, the condition makes it impossible for the baby’s brain to grow in its natural shape and the head is misshapen.

One of the event orgarnisers, Beverley Smith, explained that they held the event to raise awareness for the medical condition and also raise funds for the support group.

Founder of the support group Robyn Rondi, who is a Sundowner resident and mother to a six-year-old who has craniosynnostosis, explained that she started the support group following her son’s diagnosis. “I spent a lot of hours researching information on craniosynostosis in South Africa and unfortunately, the results were fruitless as there was nothing much,”said Rondi. “We were trying to deal with the trauma of the diagnosis and wanted better understanding of cranio.”

Rondi highlighted that many new-born babies were going undetected that they have this condition and this may lead them to experience development conditions.

Bikers who took part in the fun day managed to raise more than R10 000 which will be used to provide support to parents of children that have just been diagnosed or will be going for surgery. “It is a daunting feeling and a huge emotional roller coaster; we assist with advice and support in terms of the journey they will be embarking on with the special cranio kid,”explained Rondi.

Two of the bikers, Keith Smith and Wayne Lategan who participated on the day, will go an extra mile as they will be riding in the Momentum 94.7 Challenge to help raise more funds for the group.

Details: www.craniokids.co.za