A fitness fanatic is hoping to raise R1-million for the South African Red Cross Society by cycling more than 12000 kilometres from Cape to Cairo.
The funds are to help orphaned and vulnerable children recover from psychological trauma.
After clocking up almost 1000km cycling from Cape Town to Port Alfred over the past three weeks, 42-year-old Gaven Sinclair yesterday joked that even though the self-funded, unassisted ride had literally been a “pain in the butt” in the beginning, the thought of helping vulnerable children kept him going.
“My butt was so sore for the first three days,” he admitted.
“I chose to raise funds for the Red Cross psychological social support programme because it helps children affected by tremendous trauma like HIV/Aids and xenophobic attacks.
“I strongly believe that if you can deal with this trauma, psychologically, you can rehabilitate them and place them back into the community.”
According to Sinclair, once psychological damage had been undone, children could accomplish much more in their lives.
Leaving Cape Town on a battered old bicycle carrying a 25kg backpack, sporting a big SA Red Cross logo on it, and R38 in his pocket, Sinclair has so far averaged 75km a day, camping at police stations or staying with kind-hearted people he has met along the way.
“I have had no problems so far, but things could change; especially when I go out into the rest of Africa.
“I may have to adjust the route as I go because of problems that may happen in countries I plan to go through, but having the backing of the Red Cross could be helpful.”
Sinclair, who has been running, cycling and competing in triathlons for years, spent almost 20 years working in corporate sales and marketing before packing it all up to do youth sport development in Cape townships last year using money he had saved.
“Sports development is such a good way for disadvantaged children to build up confidence and character, it gives them hope that they can achieve.”
Sinclair said people could support his epic ride by donating funds into an account opened for the project by the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS).
According to Sinclair, the SARCS Psycho Social Support Project for Children forms an integral part of their emergency response during disasters and catastrophe by helping individuals and communities to heal psychological wounds after trauma.
“It can help to change people into survivors rather than passive victims.”
With almost 1000km under his belt, Sinclair hopes to make Cairo by next February.
He is presently pedaling towards East London and hopes to arrive later this week before cycling through the Transkei, Natal, Swaziland and Mozambique, where he will plot his journey to avoid trouble hotspots on the continent.
“I am not scared to make this journey – sometimes in life you have to give before you can receive.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Epic Cape to Cairo cycle for child victims
The funds are to help orphaned and vulnerable children recover from psychological trauma.
After clocking up almost 1000km cycling from Cape Town to Port Alfred over the past three weeks, 42-year-old Gaven Sinclair yesterday joked that even though the self-funded, unassisted ride had literally been a “pain in the butt” in the beginning, the thought of helping vulnerable children kept him going.
“My butt was so sore for the first three days,” he admitted.
“I chose to raise funds for the Red Cross psychological social support programme because it helps children affected by tremendous trauma like HIV/Aids and xenophobic attacks.
“I strongly believe that if you can deal with this trauma, psychologically, you can rehabilitate them and place them back into the community.”
According to Sinclair, once psychological damage had been undone, children could accomplish much more in their lives.
Leaving Cape Town on a battered old bicycle carrying a 25kg backpack, sporting a big SA Red Cross logo on it, and R38 in his pocket, Sinclair has so far averaged 75km a day, camping at police stations or staying with kind-hearted people he has met along the way.
“I have had no problems so far, but things could change; especially when I go out into the rest of Africa.
“I may have to adjust the route as I go because of problems that may happen in countries I plan to go through, but having the backing of the Red Cross could be helpful.”
Sinclair, who has been running, cycling and competing in triathlons for years, spent almost 20 years working in corporate sales and marketing before packing it all up to do youth sport development in Cape townships last year using money he had saved.
“Sports development is such a good way for disadvantaged children to build up confidence and character, it gives them hope that they can achieve.”
Sinclair said people could support his epic ride by donating funds into an account opened for the project by the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS).
According to Sinclair, the SARCS Psycho Social Support Project for Children forms an integral part of their emergency response during disasters and catastrophe by helping individuals and communities to heal psychological wounds after trauma.
“It can help to change people into survivors rather than passive victims.”
With almost 1000km under his belt, Sinclair hopes to make Cairo by next February.
He is presently pedaling towards East London and hopes to arrive later this week before cycling through the Transkei, Natal, Swaziland and Mozambique, where he will plot his journey to avoid trouble hotspots on the continent.
“I am not scared to make this journey – sometimes in life you have to give before you can receive.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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