On Monday 6th April 2009 thirty cyclists rode into Aberdeen from Graaff-Reinet. They were followed by back-up vehicles complete with a loudspeaker which hailed their entrance into town.
These university students from Pretoria University ‘Tukkies,’ were almost on the final stage of their cycling journey from Pretoria to Oudtshoorn. They cycle a chosen route every two years, and their aim is to raise funds for the ‘Just Footprints Foundation’. This foundation was started by a parent who had lost a child to a terminal disease, and is affiliated to “Cotlands” a children’s home in Johannesburg. The ambition of the foundation is to raise sufficient funds to give the children suffering from terminal carcinoma and HIV-aids a holiday. This ‘holiday’ involves a support group of medical attendants for the children, complete with medication and all the necessary equipment needed by these children.
The sponsorships given to these students from ‘Drommedaris House’ at ‘Tukkies’ come, from the corporate world, Sanlam and Limpopo Toyota, who assist with petrol, maintenance of the cycles and other expenses. A sms line is also available to raise funds. The parents of these students are also involved, and assist with the back-up vehicles. The cyclists average 120 kilometers per day, and cycle in shifts.
These university students from Pretoria University ‘Tukkies,’ were almost on the final stage of their cycling journey from Pretoria to Oudtshoorn. They cycle a chosen route every two years, and their aim is to raise funds for the ‘Just Footprints Foundation’. This foundation was started by a parent who had lost a child to a terminal disease, and is affiliated to “Cotlands” a children’s home in Johannesburg. The ambition of the foundation is to raise sufficient funds to give the children suffering from terminal carcinoma and HIV-aids a holiday. This ‘holiday’ involves a support group of medical attendants for the children, complete with medication and all the necessary equipment needed by these children.
The sponsorships given to these students from ‘Drommedaris House’ at ‘Tukkies’ come, from the corporate world, Sanlam and Limpopo Toyota, who assist with petrol, maintenance of the cycles and other expenses. A sms line is also available to raise funds. The parents of these students are also involved, and assist with the back-up vehicles. The cyclists average 120 kilometers per day, and cycle in shifts.
The first fund raising tour was in 1966 and the students cycled through Zimbabwe. It was a time of petrol restrictions, so they carried a large drum of petrol with them. That same drum is now used for the donations given en-route. This method of raising funds is passed down from student to student, and it was a privilege to speak to the two of the shortly retiring “leaders of the pack”.Their progress is reported daily on their ‘blog’ (http://www.drom2009.blogspot.com/) which is an amusing and also a great way for their parents to keep in touch with their travels.
For Frikkie Thiart, a final year Industrial Engineering student, and Andre Bezuidenhout, a final year B.Com student, this will be their final year of assisting this Foundation by means of the cycling tour. It was an absolute pleasure to meet these well mannered, motivated and engaging young people.
Article By: Joan Tinker
