05 Apr 2011 Fund raisers by members
Our new website aims to be more community-friendly, and soon PPA members will be able to directly chat online to one another, link profiles, and chat to one another on the new PPA forums. News from members will also be posted on these forums. Until then, the info will be posted in this news section. Read on to find out more about two fund raising initiatives for/by members.
1. Fund raiser for Kevin Gaynor
PPA member Kevin Gaynor recently had a big crash while riding in Tokai, sustaining serious injuries to his neck. His friends are organising a fundraiser to help them meet some medical bills.
In Andrew’s words: “The idea is to hold a fundraising event, which we have called “Cycle/Walk 4 Kev”. You are invited to join us for this event on Saturday 9 April 2011. We will all be meeting at the Tokai picnic area at approximately 11h30, and setting off at about 12h00. Russell Gaynor will lead a contingent of cyclists on the route up through the forest at the Arboretum, past the point where Kev had his accident, and then back to the picnic area. Total ride time will be about an hour. We realise that there will be those who are fitter than this, and those who don’t even have a bike at all. This event is open for you too. If you are fit, you may decide to continue up the cycle track loop a bit higher, or if a walker, it will be a fantastic stroll from the picnic area up to the arboretum and back. And if you don’t feel like any of this, just come join us for a picnic anyhow. Bring your own chairs. We will organise fires at the picnic area and cool drinks and boerewors rolls will be on sale. Cheryl and Tammy will be there too and I am sure would love to meet you in person. As it is a fundraiser for a specific cause, donations will be much appreciated and everything raised will go towards helping this family. Entrance to the picnic area and day permit to ride in Tokai will be for your own expenses and in addition to any donations.
If you would like to join us, please RSVP to Andrew Bright (cell 082 302 4011) (brights@telkomsa.net) or Ross Holing (cell 083 443 0717) (rosshol@mweb.co.za) so we can get some sort of idea for numbers for catering purposes.”
2. Pedalling for Peddie in 2011
On 21 April 2011, four none-too-fit middle-aged health care workers will attempt to ride/push/prod/kick or otherwise propel their bicycles over 1 000 km from the rural town of Hamburg in the Eastern Cape of South Africa to Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. Last year a similar group of unlikely superheroes raised R150 000.00 for the Keiskamma Trust (www.keiskamma.org) and its projects.
The Keiskamma Trust and the Kidzpositive Family Fund (www.kidzpositive.org) are deeply committed to providing quality health care to children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. “The goal for our quest is to raise funds for the Keiskamma Trust which provides primary health care for 119 villages in the rural Peddie district of the Eastern Cape Province,” says Paul Roux. These villages are served by 11 clinics and one doctor.
“Our goal for this year’s fundraiser is to raise enough money to purchase a vehicle which will be used to transport very sick patients to local clinics and hospitals – hence our theme: ‘Bike for a Bakkie, Pedal for a Pickup’.”
The 2010 fund-raising bicycle ride followed the N2 National Road to Cape Town. The group will depart from Hamburg at 8am, Thursday 21st April and arrive in Cape Town on 2nd May. Overnight stops will include Cambria, Studtis, Willowmore, Rondawel, Prince Albert, Gamkaskloof, Vleiland, Anysberg, Montagu, Karoo1, Tulbagh, and Groenberg, following much of the Freedom Trail.
All funds raised will go directly to the Keiskamma Trust. Each cyclist will cover his or her costs.
Support and follow the cyclists on Facebook and www.kidzpositive/blogspot.com. To find out how you can make a donation, email Paul for more information.