ON SUNDAY, keep your eyes peeled for a group of 30 social cyclists who will take to the roads in the 4th Rob Burton Memorial Ride, cycling from East London to Cape Town with the aim of raising R250 000 for a local Non Profit Organisation, the Eyabantwana Trust, and who will pass through Komani.
The Eyabantwana Trust is an independent non-profit trust organisation established to support the work of the Eastern Cape Paediatric Surgical Services based at the East London public hospitals.
The Grandads Army will gear up at 5am on Sunday and relay their way through to Cape Town over four consecutive days. The group of riders will cycle in three teams, featuring the Army, Navy and Air Force whom will collectively complete the 1160km journey through to the Western Cape, via Komani, Middleburg, Willowmore and Swellendam.
Each group will cycle 100km each day via a relay system, which will ensure the group arrive in Stellenbosch within four days. The entire Grandads Army will then tackle a further 110km on Sunday, 12th March 2018 by taking on this year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour.
To ensure all funds raised go towards the Eyabantwana Trust, cyclists and supporters cover their own costs leading up to and during the event.
“We have a steep fundraising hill to climb, but we are confident that East Londoners and the many people along the way who were so supportive last year will again rally behind this great cause” shares Dr Colin Lazarus, Grandads Army cyclist and director of the Eyabantwana Trust.
Over the past three years, the Grandads Army have helped raise R750 000 for the Eyabantwana Trust. Funds raised from the 2017 event have gone towards the much needed burn-surgical equipment for the paediatric patients at the Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals based in East London.
This event would not be possible without the assistance of its sponsors, featuring Caltex Eastern Cape Marketer, Coca Cola, Caltex Beacon Bay Fresh Stop and Minuteman Press.
Caltex Eastern Cape Marketer (CECM), the official fuel sponsor of the support teams, commended the Eyabantwana Trust for their dedication in raising awareness and funds to assist burn victims in the Eastern Cape.
“The money raised by the Grandads Army has become a beacon of hope for so many burn victims in the Eastern Cape. Our young children are particularly vulnerable, with burn injuries claiming many a young life each year. These youngsters are the future leaders in our country and as business we should ensure that they are given the chance to make this happen” said Clive Berlyn, CECM CEO.
“As a major role player in the Eastern Cape fuel industry, we at Caltex Eastern Cape Marketer, take our responsibility seriously and belief that through awareness, preventative campaigns and ensuring that proper care are given to burn victims the effects of this scourge could be greatly reduced.
We must commend the Eyabantwana Trust for their dedication in raising awareness and funds to make the world a safer place for our children.” he added.
The Eyabantwana Trust was established to support the work of the Children’s Surgical Service based at the Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals, the main referral centres for children requiring complex surgery in the Eastern Cape.
Members of the public who wish to get involved with this phenomenal cause and help raise funds for the Paediatric Surgical Services based at the East London public hospitals are encouraged to contact Trystan Viaene – trystan@hypepr.co.za.
