Cyclists creating awareness welcomed
Lena le Roux, MD of Staycold International, said, "We are proud to be part of this worthy cause as we strive to make South Africa a better country for all."
A hearty welcome awaited the group of 9 cyclists at Staycold International in Parys on Thursday, 31 August, ending Day 4 of their tour via the Pont Drift to Cape Town.
The tour started on 28 August, raising awareness of the Smillie Foundation. All funds raised will go towards the foundation’s education programme. The foundation has partnered with Fish Hoek High School in Cape Town, and through this collaboration, the funds raised will financially support two children through secondary education at the school.
The cycle challenge finishes at Fish Hoek High School tomorrow, 8 September, and the funds will be presented to a representative of the school.
The Thomson Smillie Foundation was established to help offer disadvantaged South Africans the opportunity to access quality education and basic human rights like healthcare initiatives through clean drinking water and electricity. They have various programmes that assist with these causes, with the education side having programmes that range from bursaries to providing transportation for children from their homes to the education facility.
Staycold International sponsored Day 4 of the ride, which started in Bryanston. Riding in Staycold International branded cycling kit, the riders finished at the Staycold International Factory in Kakie Strachan Road, Parys, where they received a welcome at the new showroom.
Lena le Roux, MD of Staycold International, said, “We are proud to be part of this worthy cause as we strive to make South Africa a better country for all.”
After a factory tour of Staycold and overnight at La Grande Chateau, the cyclists headed for Theunissen at the start of Day 5.
According to Peter Thompson, one of the founders of Smillie, the first day of the tour was tough and long, with a head-on wind blowing at about 25 km/h as they cycled from Pont Drift to Polokwane, comple- ting 208 km. Day 2 started in Polokwane, heading towards Bela-Bela with a lot of climbing to complete 74 km. Day three was another tough day, cycling from Bela-Bela to Bryanston. This year’s tour is their second in aid of the Smillie Foundation, but the first time the cyclists stopped in Parys on their way to Cape Town.