Rhino ride to end in Port Shepstone
Three anti-poaching fund-raising events are planned.
THE grand finale of an epic 10 000km motorbike ride to raise money to help rhinos, will be part of the official opening of the new Criterion Yamaha premises at Spiller’s Wharf on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22.
The adventurers taking part in this ride, the `Rock ‘n Ride 4 Rhino’ fund-raising tour, are 2009 South African Idols winner Jason Hartman, former superbike racer Dave Estment and the founding director of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation, Damien Mander.
Their project has taken them all over South Africa. They started their journey in April and will finish it in Port Shepstone just in time to be part of the opening celebrations. By taking part in the opening they will be able to top up the anti-rhino poaching funds they have raised during their long ride. Every cent raised through their Port Shepstone fund-raising events will go to this important cause.
On the Saturday morning the team and Criterion Yamaha will organise an adventure ride for a maximum of 30 bikers. For a donation of R100 you could be part of the ride. Booking is essential. Contact 039 6827888.
The official opening of the new premises takes place at 3pm. This will be followed by the Jason Hartman fund-raising concert at Spiller’s Wharf at 7pm. Port Shepstone Lions have volunteered to man the gate so every cent raised will go into the ‘Rock ‘n Ride 4 Rhino’ coffers. Parking will be available on South Wharf and there will be a shuttle service from there to the concert venue.
The final fund-raising event, a guided enduro ride, takes place on the Sunday of the grand opening weekend. This also costs R100 per person and only 30 people will be able to join the team so book early. Contact 039 6827888.
The riders have had many adventures and a wonderful time as they travelled the length and breadth of South Africa. To them, the epic ride has epitomised the freedom, adventure and fun of the human spirit through motorcycling and the raw energy of rock ‘n roll. The riders have harnessed this spirit to stimulate a national culture of conservation.
As well as raising awareness of the plight of rhinos, they hope to raise R20-million to help fund extensive equipment, manpower, resources and communication channels required to combat the poaching scourge that is threatening our wildlife and our planet.
One of the highlights of the ‘Rock ’n Ride 4 Rhino’ was taking part in the Clarens Bike Festival in the Free State alongside main sponsor Yamaha Southern Africa. Yamaha is providing state-of-the-art motorcycles and music equipment for the tour.
Interactive school presentations by Jason, Dave and Damien have formed the backbone of the project and they have reached out to as many pupils as possible. Schools have been encouraged to take part in the riders’ Philanthropy Challenge and in blogging and songwriting competitions to help raise funds.
Jason has harnessed his talents as a musician to spread the conservation message, performing at many venues to generate interest and enthusiasm. Events have also included mass rides, adventure rides and gigs, organised through Yamaha’s dealer network across Southern Africa. The entire adventure has been captured via photographs and film by the Wild Imaging Trust team, TV networks, live-stream broadcasts by online radio, newspapers and magazines.
For more information about Rock’n Ride 4 Rhino, visit www.rnr4r.org, follow on facebook: RocknRide4Rhino and Twitter: @rocknride4rhino, or email info@rnr4r.org,
