GEORGE NEWS - To create awareness of the Down Syndrome Association of the Western Cape (DSAWC), the Goodwood Prison's Mountain View cycling club, in collaboration with (DSAWC), will take on 473km from Cape Town to George.
The club cyclists - 12 members aged 40 to 57 - will start in Parow on 27 February. Most of the participants are Correctional Services officers.
Riders aim to be in George by Friday, 3 March. The first stop will be Gordons Bay, the second Grabouw and then Caledon.
The team will spend the night in Bredasdorp and then ride to Riviersonderend with a stop in Swellendam (Buffelsjags).
On the third day they leave from Swellendam to Heidelberg and then Riversdale. The fourth day takes them from Riversdale via Albertinia to Mossel Bay, where they will overnight. On the final day they will travel from Mossel Bay to George, where they will be received by Pieter Nel and his team from the George Lions.
"We are an outoppie club, but young at heart," says Harold Wentzel, chairman of the cycling club.
Wentzel has been the chairman for the past decade and he is also the only member of the club who has participated in all 20 tours in aid of Down's syndrome. This year will be his 21st tour.
About DSAWC
DSAWC helps people who are directly affected by Down syndrome to work through the initial shock and walk the path of acceptance.
According to the association's Tineke Ganz-Malan, it is important to start working with your baby immediately to assist with good development. "We want to help parents so they can help their children reach their full potential. People with Down syndrome and their families are part of the community and must also have their place," she says.
The tour gives the association an opportunity to raise awareness, fundraise and get their message out.
According to Elana Visser, fundraiser for the bike tour, the club still needs a lot of money. "We need R20 000 to make the tour a success," she says. Businesses and members of the public are also invited to sponsor kilometres.
Anyone interested in making a donation is asked to contact Visser (061 060 5566). Apart from the cash collected for the benefit of DSVWK, the club needs water/soft drinks, sunscreen, lip balm, items for goodie bags and petrol.
Members of the Goodwood prison's Mountain View cycling club who took part in a previous fundraising tour in aid of DSAWC.
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