Pledging pedal power to Thembalami
LOMBARDY EAST - Sean Wheeler is putting foot to pedal in an epic cycling tour that will benefit Thembalami Care Centre as he travels from the East Rand to the East Coast.
Wheeler successfully motivated for Thembalami, where his father is a resident, to be made a beneficiary of the ER2EC Charity Cycle tour, started in 2010 by cyclist Julian Bryant and his wife Pascale to raise sponsorship for charities.
The tour, which will see 25 cyclists and five crew set off from Carnival City at 7am on 13 December, has raised more than R250 000 in three events and this year’s target is an ambitious R100 000. Wheeler has taken part since the tour’s inception, and is determined to use this initiative to give back to Thembalami.
“My dad had a ruptured brain aneurysm four years ago. After being in a coma for a long time he eventually managed to pull through but is very frail and unable to care for himself. Thembalami has been fantastic in looking after him and the 160 other frail residents in its care,” said Wheeler of the Rand Aid Association centre.
“The centre cares for people of all creed and colour. Members of the nursing staff are the most caring people I have ever met and have to work in very difficult conditions,” he added.
All proceeds from Wheeler’s efforts in the 606km, four-day ride will go directly to Thembalami. Wheeler is asking the community to help the care centre support its elderly patients, many of whom survive on an inadequate government pension.
“I know that times are tight and everyone has their own charities and families to support but if you have a few rands to spare and were considering donating to a worthwhile cause this Christmas, please consider Thembalami… And if you would like to extend an additional hand of friendship, donations of clothing, slippers, toiletries and little treats would make a big difference to the lives of some of Thembalami’s more disadvantaged residents,” said Wheeler.
Wheeler’s fellow-cyclists will be riding for the benefit of rhino orphanage Care for Wild, St Luke’s Children’s Home in KwaZulu-Natal, and the Society for Animals in Distress.
Details: Thembalami 011 882 4434; Sean 082 553 6212; Facebook: Low Carb High Fat Cycling; video: www.randaid.co.za/thembalami.html
