Action as Rotary connects
Rotary Club of Empangeni members are preparing for arguably their biggest fund-raising exercise of the year
ROTARY Club of Empangeni members are preparing for arguably their biggest fund-raising exercise of the year: crossing the country on their bicycles in aid of charity.
The 2018 Connection Ride will see club members take on a gruelling cycle tour from Empangeni to Cape Town, forging relationships along the way while raising funds and sponsorship for a number of non-profit organisations right here in uMhlathuze.
It has also been identified as an opportunity to link Rotary Clubs en route to Cape Town and to support inter-district ties and fund-raising efforts.
The cyclists cover 1 700km (at their own expense), leaving from Empangeni and ‘climbing’ out of KwaZulu-Natal via Vryheid.
The route will then go through, among others, Ladysmith, Clarens, Middelburg, Aliwal North, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Plettenberg Bay, George, Hermanus, and Somerset West before finally pulling in to Cape Town.
Approximately 1,23 million Rotarians belong to more than 34 000 Rotary Clubs located in 167 countries.
Money in action
The funds raised from the Connection Ride will be used for social upliftment of communities and the care and support of HIV/Aids victims.
All fund-raising projects are overseen by Rotary International.
Through global grants, the Rotary Foundation provides additional contributions to funds raised by Rotary clubs and districts for international service projects.
The Rotary Club of Empangeni will partner with one or more Rotary clubs and districts, and the money raised through the 2018 Connection Ride will be supported and added to by further donations from the districts concerned and by the Rotary Foundation in the form of a global grant.
This year the beneficiaries are: SPCA, wheelchair donations, End Polio Now campaign, NSRI Dictionary/blanket and sanitary towel donations, Leisure Gardens Empangeni, Thuthukani School (Skills Development and building classrooms), Thuthuzela (Abused women and children), Mafika Crèche, Rotary Youth Leadership courses and the Green Door Project.
Larger projects, together with a Global Grant through The Rotary Foundation that will benefit include: The Zululand Hospice Training Centre, Anti- Poaching (Rotarhino), Gobandlovu School (classrooms and toilets)and Crossroads Teen Centre (computer centre).
How can I become involved?
Businesses can throw their support behind the riders by contacting Barbara Robarts on 082 4635870 or at robarts@zulucom.net
Every small contribution helps, so those who would like to donate to the cause are invited to use the following banking details: Rotary Club of Empangeni, ABSA Bank, branch 632005, current account number 406 968 6085.
For a reference, please use your name and specify which project (from the box, listed) you would like your donation to benefit.
Connection Ride 2018 itinerary
Test Ride: Sunday 11 February to Hluhluwe
Day 1: To Mtonjaneni, 24 February – 70 km
Day 2: To Vryheid, 25 February – 113 km
Day 3: To Harrismith, 26 February – 113 km
Day 4: To Clarens, 27 February – 26 km
Day 5: To Ladybrand, 28 February – 148 km
Day 6: To Aliwal North, 1 March – 100 km
Day 7: To Middelburg, 2 March – 100 km
Day 8: To Graaff-Reinet, 3 March – 106 km
Day 9: Rest Day, 4 March
Day 10: To Beaufort West, 5 March – 208 kmDay 11: To Oudtshoorn, 6 March – 100km
Day 12: To Barrydale, 7 March – 99 km
Day 13: To Worcester, 8 March – 92 km
Day 14: Arrive in Cape Town, 9 March
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