Helderberg cyclist Jermaine Carelse will saddle up alongside teammate Regan Bagley for one of the country’s premier mountain-biking stage races, pedalling for a worthy cause.
The duo will push their limits to raise funds for St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.
“Sticking with the theme of nines, we’re urging everyone to donate anything from R9 upwards, buying into the 9 Zeros Challenge,” Carelse said.
“Interestingly, the number nine in numerology represents the completion of a cycle and the start of something new. So hopefully when we finish our cycle we will have raised enough money for St Joseph’s to start something new.”
The pair will be toughing out the gruelling Shiraz edition of the 2025 FNB Wine2Whales Switchback stage race, which takes place from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 November and is reputable as the culminating event that puts participants through their paces.
However, for Carelse and Bagley the collective effort is not about chasing time but honouring the real heroes of the intermediate paediatric care facility, providing post-acute palliative, restorative, rehabilitation and respite care.
Located in Montana near Gugulethu, the 175-bed facility offers free holistic care, including 24-hour nursing, rehabilitation therapy and psycho-social support for children with life-limiting conditions such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and oncology cases.
St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care was founded by German Pallotine Missonary Sisters in Philippi in 1935, moving to its current premises in the early 1970s due mainly to apartheid group-areas legislation. Over the past 90 years, it has served more than 25 000 children who are not well enough to go home, yet don’t require acute hospital care, with patients typically staying an average of six months.
The NPO fills a critical gap in the healthcare of the Western Cape’s nearly 8 million residents, providing comprehensive care rooted in Christian compassion and the belief that every medically fragile child deserves excellent healthcare regardless of their circumstances.
“A few years ago we had the privilege of being invited to the facility, and what was immediately apparent was the genuine care and love the patients receive,” Carelse said. “Many of them have been there from a very young age. The smiling faces that greet you, even though they are experiencing pain, leave an indelible mark on you.”
Their decision to support St Joseph’s was influenced by the organisation’s exceptional combination of providing high-quality care comparable to private institutions while operating as an NPO dependent on community donations and funding.
For Carelse this mission resonated particularly deeply due to his experience as a City of Cape Town firefighter, where he has encountered many child burn victims. “As a father I can tell you that is one of the most unimaginable situations you would want your child to face.”
Both Carelse and Bagley are experienced road cyclists who are geared up for the challenge of the more technical demands of mountain biking, with their steeper inclines and challenging downhills. “I’ve had my fair share of falls over the past few months and, believe me, one just has to get back on the ‘horse’ again,” said Carelse.
Together the cyclists have set their sights on raising R25 000 for the facility to purchase much-needed equipment, supplement the food budget or fund staff training courses. Carelse believes surpassing this “modest” target should be achievable “if everyone reading this story makes a R90 donation”.
“We all have some disposable income, and this is such a worthy cause. Regan mentioned that two cappuccinos cost about R90; so give up your coffee for just one week and transform a child’s life instead. You’ll feel incredible pride knowing you’ve made that difference.”
With just less than two months to go, by month’s end the cyclists are hoping to raise at least R10 000. It’s in response to St Joseph’s “9 Zero Challenge”, inviting supporters to donate R90 900, volunteer 90 minutes, encourage nine friends to join, complete 90 km, host charity events, run a social-media campaign, sponsor therapy or create a challenge.
To donate, visit https://www.givengain.com/champion/regan-bagley-and-jermaine-carelse-1323196.
For more details on the facility, visit https://stjosephsipc.org.za/double-your-impact-with-the-9-zeros-challenge/.
Photo: Jamey Gordon
