Thirty-eight cyclists will embark on an ambitious East London-to-Cape Town ride this weekend, aiming to raise a minimum of R400 000 for life-saving paediatric surgical equipment.
The 11th annual Grandads Army Memorial Ride begins on Sunday 1 March, when the first team departs from the Astron fuel station in Beacon Bay. The cyclists will complete the journey in relay format, each team averaging 100 km per day before finishing at Bikini Beach in Gordon’s Bay.
The fundraising initiative supports the Eyabantwana For The Children Trust, an East London-based non-profit organisation that assists paediatric-surgery departments at Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals.
Three teams tackle the challenge
The cyclists are divided into three teams: Team Army (comfort riders), Team Navy (intermediate pace), and Team Air Force (the fastest “racing snakes”). Each team will complete two cycling legs daily as they make their way along the N2 route through Qonce, Alice, Adelaide, Cradock, Willowmore and Montagu.
The group includes participants from various professions, including three Cape Town firefighters: Jermaine Carelse (City of Cape Town Fire & Rescue, media spokesperson), Dino Levendall and Llewellyn Lackay.
The trust, established in 2011, comprises medical, accounting and legal professionals, who purchase surgical equipment, maintain the Carte Blanche Paediatric Surgical Theatre at Frere Hospital and fund specialist training courses for paediatric surgeons.
Last year the Grandads Army raised approximately R550 000 towards a R850 000 paediatric gastroscope. The equipment is currently being financed, with ongoing payments supported by fundraising efforts.
Trust representative Bronwyn Claridge explained that funds directly impact children’s surgical care by ensuring access to the latest life-saving and life-changing procedures.
Route details and celebration
The cycling teams will overnight in Cradock, Willowmore and spend two nights in Montagu before completing the final legs through Riviersonderend and Hermanus. The united teams will cycle the final 77.7 kilometres along the R44 to Gordon’s Bay Harbour.
After finishing on Thursday, participants will stay at the Never@Home Hostel in Green Point for four nights, returning home on Monday 9 March. Some cyclists will participate in the Cape Town Cycle Tour on Sunday 8 March.
The initiative receives support from major sponsors, including Food Lovers Market, Astron Energy Beacon Bay, Spargs Superspar Beacon Bay, and Astron Fresh Stop College Motors, alongside several smaller sponsors.
The Grandads Army was founded 13 years ago by seven running and cycling enthusiasts who transitioned from running to cycling. The memorial-ride component began 11 years ago as their primary fundraising initiative.
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