Konrad Clifton took off on his bike from Springbok, Augrabies in the Northern Cape last month to Atlantis to highlight the daily challenges of persons with disabilities.
Clifton, a legal adviser to SEESA Pty Ltd and former non-commissioned officer in the South African Navy, began cycling solo to raise funds to enable this community to rise to meet the daily physical and logistical challenges it faces, with a little help from Rotary.
He explained: “People who face challenges specifically with regard to mobility and accessibility have inspired and encouraged me to do something good that will improve their condition and at the same time explore the beautiful Karoo, West Coast, Namaqualand and Northern Cape from Augrabies and Atlantis by bike.
“Aside from promoting an ongoing awareness of disabled people’s daily challenges, this project also enables me to meet other people in this beautiful part of our country and widen my friendships and communication ties.”
Clifton’s solo bike ride started on 31 January in Springbok to Upington, through the Karoo with a turn on the West Coast. Here he will pass through Vredenburg and Saldanha and end – after 1 500 km – at Kerria Primary School on Tuesday 12 February.
The Rotary Club of Newlands thanks Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverage and fellow Rotary clubs, such as Kirstenbosch, Upington, Saldanha Bay, Atlantis, as well as Steam Team (SSISA) for their contributions to the project.
Karin Smith, responsible for health at the Atlantis Rotary Club, says two disabled children from Atlantis and Mamre will benefit from the project.
Funds raised will be used to build wheelchair ramps at their homes.
