Ballito’s Joel Stransky raises over R1-million in charity ride for children’s eye care
Fellow North Coast riders Jacques Grobler and Ty White also completed the gruelling 2 500km journey.
Springbok great Joel Stransky conquered 2 500km on two wheels, all to bring vision and hope to underprivileged children.
Now back home in Ballito, Stransky has completed the gruelling Sea to See Hope Ride, a coast-to-coast cycling challenge to raise funds for the Lumohawk Foundation.
The two-week journey began on Durban’s beachfront on November 30 and ended on December 6 in Swakopmund, Namibia. Stransky was joined by close friend Arrie Rautenbach and fellow North Coast residents Jacques Grobler and Ty White.
ALSO READ: Joel Stransky takes on 2 500km ride to help children see | North Coast Courier
Together, the team raised over R1-million for Lumohawk, which funds mobile eye clinics, vision screenings and prescription glasses for children in under-resourced schools.
“The ride was about making a difference, raising awareness and achieving our goal,” said Stransky. “What makes the journey special is the people sharing it.”
Video above produced by JumpCut Media.
The route passed through the Midlands and towns such as Harrismith, Kimberley, Upington and Windhoek.
“It was a great experience. We met so many amazing people along the way and the hospitality was incredible.”
The ride was anything but easy. Riders endured thunderstorms, lightning, hail, extreme desert heat and steep climbs. At times, temperatures soared to 50°C and there was little to no shelter.
“The weather gods were not kind,” said Stransky. “We were hit with hail in Clarens, then lightning in Ficksburg. The desert stretches were brutal.”
The journey ended with the infamous 401km Desert Dash, a two-day final push from Windhoek to Swakopmund.
Despite numb fingers, chafing and bruising, Stransky said the team remained positive.
“It’s hard on the body. We suffered, but nobody complained. In fact, we’d do it all again.”
He praised the team’s support crew, Keegan and Samuel Quin, and the project’s sponsors.
“We couldn’t have done this without them. Thank you for everything.”
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