Anyone can be extraordinary

Every few weeks, the Fourways Review brings you the story of an ordinary person who has done something extraordinary for their community. While we should and do celebrate these individuals and the good that they achieve, we should also understand that this kind of action is in our power too. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Anyone can make a difference, and everyone should try.”

If you’re looking to help someone less fortunate in 2018, why not volunteer to become a Muscle Rider?

“The Muscle Riders are a group of cyclists who care for those affected with muscular dystrophy and want to make a difference in their lives,” explained Robert Scott of the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation’s (MDF) Gauteng branch. “They have been doing the 947 Cycle Challenge for six years now and 2018 will be the seventh year in a row.”

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases which cause gradual weakness and loss of muscle mass. Scott is appealing to cyclists in Fourways and beyond to get involved in this year’s race on behalf of the charity, which will need at least 10 riders registered for the race in order for the MDF to ride as a charity.

“In order to do so, we need to have 10 riders who have paid and entered the race. So far we have five riders.

“They register on the Cycle Challenge website and then email me their ID numbers and I add them to our charity group from my side. We also ask that each cyclist gather at least R1 000 in donations for the foundation.”

In 2017 R336 501 was raised from the race, which is then used to help people with muscular dystrophy gain access to specialised equipment such as motorised wheelchairs, counselling for those facing the disease and assisting MDF members on a daily basis.

“A simple meet with one of the children who has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy is enough to know why you should ride for the foundation. To see the joy in a child’s eyes, who is unable to walk and can’t play with their friends at all, when they receive a motorised wheelchair, is enough to make you want to do it.

To see their world literally becoming full of hope again and realising that was because they were fortunate enough that we all care,” said Scott.

Scott added that cyclists of any skill level are welcome, as long as they would be able to finish the 94.7km race track. Riders will be presented with a special ‘Muscle Riders’ shirt the day before the race on 18 November, and the foundation will also collect and distribute the necessary race packs.

“Last year we had 125 Muscle Riders, this year we hope to make it 200!

“I would just like to say that if people get involved with this then they will honestly wish they had done it sooner. I had never been involved with cycling or even knew what muscular dystrophy was until I started working here. In less than a year this has become a life’s work for me,” Scott concluded.

Details: To find out more, or to volunteer as a Muscle Rider, contact Robert Scott on mdfgauteng@mdsa.org.za or 011 472 9824.