PCA returns to the Lowveld after biking across South Africa for charity
The Pediatric Care Africa (PCA) team will arrive back in White River this Saturday following their "Ride for a Child" charity bike event.
It saw bikers ride to the farthest corners of the country in a bid to raise funds for children in need of medical attention.
The PCA team members are nearing the end of their 21-day journey, which saw them travel a total of 6 867 kilometres around South Africa.
The PCA founder and CEO, Dr André Hattingh, set off with Steelwings Lowveld riders André Steynmann and Kevin Gelderblom from the White River Square on February 14, and recently arrived in Cape Town, before departing for Cape Agulhas, the most southern point in South Africa.
The riders have already visited the most northern point of the country at the Beit Bridge Border Post, and border to Zimbabwe, as well as the most western point of South Africa at Alexander Bay.
Hattingh said Cape Town was their halfway mark after having travelled about 3 470 kilometres crossing the Karoo and Kalahari.
“The Kalahari was spectacular after the good rain and the road to Upington took us through waving grass fields that were green as far as the eye can see.
“The area around Pofadder was very dry in contrast to the green fields 100 kilometres back.
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“After checking into our accommodation, we set off to meet up with the HOG Winelands chapter, a Harley-Davidson owners’ group for a sunset cruise. We were met by 27 Harley-Davidsons at the Harley-Davidson store and after a welcome and a safety talk we set off for Melkbosstrand and dinner afterwards.”
On February 23, the PCA team members rode to Metalheads Motorcycles in Paarden Eiland for a check-up to ensure their bikes are safe and roadworthy.
Hattingh added that one of their highlights of being in Cape Town was visiting the kids at Nazareth House in Vredehoek.
“Unfortunately this year we could not take the children on motorbike rides as we had last year, due to Covid restrictions that prohibit close contact with the children and large groups.
“We did, however, spoil them with ice cream and back-to-school goodies. Hopefully next year we will be able to get back to normality and give the kids at Nazareth a motorbike ride and a handshake or a hug.”
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He said the purpose of visiting the farthest points of the country is to draw an imaginary circle around the children living in South Africa to show our solidarity with them.
“All of our kids deserve a healthy life and no child deserves to go to bed hungry, no matter who and where they are,” said Hattingh.
They arrive back at White River Square on Saturday. To welcome the riders back, or to get involved with donations to help the children in need in South Africa, visit the Facebook page, Pediatric Care Africa, or visit www.pediatriccareafrica.org.
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