Cycle for a good cause and show your support to Thandanani

Imagine if you cycling through our beautiful city helped ensure the safety and care of children in need.

Well, Thandanani House of Refuge would like you to stop imagining and actually be part of changing the lives of children through the hotly anticipated Discovery 947 Ride Joburg. Paul McKibbin, chairperson of the home, said part of their annual funding comes from the Department of Social Development; however, that only covers about 50 per cent of their costs. “We are then left to fundraise the balance, which is about R1 million,” he said.

The home has about 22 children in its care and they all need all the help they can get. But it’s up to those willing to help to keep the wheels turning for change.

This year, one of the initiatives they decided to participate in is the Discovery 947 Ride Joburg which
will take place on 17 November. “It’s the cycle challenge’s mission to accommodate charities as an opportunity to raise money,” said McKibbin. He explained that the charity has to find riders who will then ride for Team Thandanani. “Each rider that commits to riding for us will receive a branded cycle shirt and will ride in our colours,” said McKibbin. All the organisation wants is for each cyclist to find personal sponsorship for their cycle through the city to the tune of R1 500. “We’re asking cyclists to raise this money through their friends, family, corporates or wherever they can raise it from,” he said.

McKibbin said cyclists just need to be able to handle the 94,7km ride through the city – they do not have to be professional cyclists. “The challenge accepts riders from the age of 13 years,” he said. The organisation is keen to have cyclists of any age cycle for a difference. Charity riders at the event also get an advantageous start to the ride.

Community members are urged to cycle for Team Thandanani, “There is such a huge need in our country and we are just a small part of it; every child we can help is one less child going back into poverty,” he said.

To be part of the change, interested cyclists first need to register on Discovery 947 Ride Joburg 2019 and thereafter register on Thandanani’s website, https://thandanani.org/.

For more information, contact Paul on 082 992 0055 or Lorelle on 083 549 0118.

Get your bike ready, Thandanani wants you to cycle at the Discovery 947 Ride Joburg. Photo: Neo Phashe.