Distance for Difference (D4D) managed to raise R600 000 in aid of needy children through yet another successful THE500 fundraiser, which saw cyclists saddle up in participation of the event at Virgin Active Waterstone in Somerset West on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October.
Stéphan Pieterse, chairman of the D4D board who started the initiative which has taken place since 2013, said it had raised R3,6 million in total so far, and counting . . .
This year’s THE500 was unique, not only because it incorporated the 24-hour cycling and spinning challenge, but an online version that enabled people to take part in their own homes.
“Our outside race included eight cyclists who raised R140 000,” Pieterse said. “Six of them completed all the laps, including those between Stellenbosch and Kuils River during the day, and the night event’s laps took place in Paardevlei.”
The spinning challenge was also a big success with lots of people showing up to spin for a good cause.
“Of all the spinners only nine entered for the 24-hour spinning session, and seven of them completed the challenge and raised R47 000,” said Pieterse.
“The other bikes were all booked by organisations that entered teams to compete in the spinning challenge, which raised R173 000.”
The first session was calm, but the second took place just before the start of the Rugby World Cup match between the Springboks and England, and a video was shared on Facebook by D4D, where spinners passed a rugby ball to one another while spinning.
“We started the spinning, road and online challenge at 10:00 on Saturday and ended at 10:00 on Sunday,” he said. “Our target is still to reach R750 000, and we will keep our fundraising lines open until the end of October.”. Visit the link to donate to THE500 fundraiser; every cent collected will be donated to children in need: https://www.givengain.com/donate/ap/66115#amount
