“Before I had Jody I also used to look away when I saw people with Down Syndrome,” said Esther Adams-Bruintjies, mother of Jody Adams (30).
That has all changed now, and both of them were part of the recent Cycling 4 Down Syndrome fundraising and awareness campaign.
A group of seven cyclists from the Mountain View Cycle Club set out from La Rochelle Primary School in Bellville on Monday 27 February for a five-day cycle tour that ended in George.
Harold Wentzel, who completed his 21st ride this year, told Hermanus Times: “We all work at the Goodwood Correctional Centre and are members of the same club. We wanted to do charity rides and when one of the guys working with us told us he has a daughter with Down Syndrome we decided to start Cycling 4 Down Syndrome.”
The manager of the Down Syndrome Association Western Cape Tineke Ganz-Malan, together with Patrick Darlow of the Mountain View Cycle Club, did most of the organising for the tour. She said: “We started this fundraising and awareness cycle tour 23 years ago. Due to Covid we could not do it for two years, so this is our 21st ride. Funding remains a problem, but it’s not just about that only. It’s also about awareness and goodwill. Because we have done this for so long we have formed some valuable friendships along the way over the years.
“Jody has joined us for the past three years. We have awareness talks at schools along the way, and usually Jody sings on these occasions.”
Jody and his mum Esther and the organisers accompanied the riders in a back-up van.
Although Jody speaks English he only sings in Afrikaans and has a penchant for Kurt Darren songs. During their stopover in Caledon after the first day’s ride Jody told Hermanus Times that he really enjoys accompanying the riders and hoped to take part again next year. On request he even performed a song for those present at this stop.
In Caledon the group were welcomed by the Smal Group of Companies (Anré Funeral Services, CFM Wireless and Caledon FM) and also did a short radio interview. Nicki-Ann Smal said: “This is a cause close to our hearts and we wanted to give a little bit back to help them in the form of a donation and refreshments. This is the first time we have done this, but we will hopefully do it again and possibly get more local businesses involved as well. Maybe we can also get some of our local cyclists to accompany them for part of the way.”
The group has been received with great enthusiasm along the way, and in some towns were welcomed by the mayors, who also contributed to this worthy cause.
