The Pediatric Care Africa has organised a charity motorbike ride around South Africa from February 13 to March 6 to visit the most northern, southern, eastern and western points accessible by road bikes.

It is the goal of the motorcyclists to drive 7 000km in order to make people aware of the plight of children who need surgery and medical treatment, but simply cannot afford it because their parents are too poor or they are orphaned.

In order to achieve their aim, they need to raise funds to provide surgery to a 1 000 children.

Ms Surika van der Merwe, the secretary of Pediatric Care Africa, said, “Our goal for 2022 is to provide surgery assistance to 70 children and to provide private specialist care to 400.”

Pediactric Care Africa’s Dr André Hattingh, accompanied by a support vehicle will depart from Pick n Pay at White River Square Shopping Centre in White River on February 13 and is expected to return on March 5.

He will ride the entire route on his Harley-Davidson Road King and invites individual guest riders and motorbike clubs across South Africa to join him.

According to him, the Kalahari and Karoo have very special attractions, so he is eager to see the parts after the recent good rain.

“It is not how far you ride with, or what you ride with which is important, it is the joining up and showing that you care for our children that is important.”

According to Ms Van der Merwe, there is a misconception that you have to belong to a motorbike club or ride a specific brand of motorbike to ride with them.

“It does not matter what you ride, if you are a lone wolf on a Triumph or a schoolboy on his 50cc Yamaha, if you are a legal motorcyclist and can do at least 100km/h, you are welcome to join us.”

Dr Hattingh is the CEO and founder of Pediatric Care Africa and a grandfather of five grandchildren.

He challenges all parents and grandparents to ride along for a section of the route as sponsored riders. How this works, is that the riders have to obtain a sponsor for R1,00 per km of which the money will also go towards this cause. Dr Hattingh said that companies and/or individuals can also sponsor any of their riders.

Documents are available on the website at www.pediatriccareafrica.org.

Regardless of the distance a rider travels on this charity ride, he/she will qualify to purchase a ride for a child 2022 badge at R50,00 as part of the fundraising drive.

“We always ride for fun and pleasure, now let us ride to save a life,” Ms Van der Merwe concluded.