A group of volunteers is cycling over 1300 kilometres from Johannesburg to Cape Town to raise funds for disadvantaged households hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The non-profit organisation Meals on Wheels Community Services says COVID-19 has drastically increased the need for food, as families continue to struggle, due to job losses.
Meals on Wheels Community Services’ Bevan Jenneke says a group of 28 cyclists and 15 support staff will cycle to Cape Town with the aim of transforming lives through charity.
He says their goal is to help South Africans financially affected by the pandemic because it has left more people desperate and vulnerable.
“Our mission is transforming lives through charity motions. We are delivering food parcels, we are visiting creches and communities to make a difference as we go. We would like the public to know that we are here and would like to make a difference. We are a non-profit organisation trying to make a difference in communities that are going through difficulties and tough times and if they can support us we can make a difference in communities.”
Jenneke highlights that the group also adheres to COVID-19 regulations as they crisscross the country.
“We do testing in the morning. We’ve had a meeting with the guys to inform them that if anybody shows symptoms they should not come out but inform us. So, we do tests, we do wear masks, we do sanitize. We do all that we can to ensure that the guys are safe.”
Cyclists started the grueling journey on the 2nd of March and briefly made a stop in Kimberley on Friday, and resumed their journey on Sunday morning.
They have meanwhile expressed their excitement over the journey that lies ahead to Cape Town.
Diana Gnudi and Letson Moyo say cycling whilst lending a helping hand gives them great joy.
“It’s a wonderful challenge to take up. It’s adventurous, and it is so good for you to do all these wonderful things in the fresh air.”
“We always do about 150 to 170 kilometers a day. You can’t come to this event without training. So, you have to train every day to be prepared to do long distances. So, we are ready. All of these people are ready” added Moyo.
Some of the communities in dire straits which they will visit will soon breathe a sigh of relief.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedInWater stop this A.M. at Wolmaransstad #ExtremeRide4Hunger #CycleTour #JHBToCPT #CharityInMotion #MealsOnWheels pic.twitter.com/9VHz0EA61t
— Meals On Wheels SA (@mowcs_sa) March 3, 2022