James Crane, Antoinette Crane, Aimee Lipinsky and Sara Clark were part of a team of 12 cyclists who rode the Cape Town Cycle Tour last year to raise money for iKhaya le Themba. This year there are 21 team members in the team. PICTURE: SUPPLIED
A group of cyclists competing in this year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour hopes to raise funds for a Hout Bay NGO’s youth sports programme.
The 46th Cape Town Cycle Tour will be held on Sunday March 10, and the 21 cyclists will be raising funds for iKhaya le Themba’s afternoon sports programme for 150 children, according to the NGO’s director, Sara Clarke.
“All proceeds of this fund-raising effort will go towards our costs of ensuring each child is able to participate in sports and fitness training. Each day 150 children attend iKhaya le Themba from 1pm till evening, when their guardians return from work.
“This keeps them off dangerous streets, from being home alone, going hungry and allows us to give them extra attention in all areas of their development by providing educational, social, emotional, sports, fitness and life skills. Our sports programme cost for the entire year is R156 000.”
The organisation wants to hire a sports coach and buy bibs, cones, whistles, balls, weights and other sports gear.
Cyclist Aimee Lipinsky said it was a “bucket list thing” for her do the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
“My first one was last year, and now I am hooked. It’s an amazing opportunity to ride for such a charity as this. They do incredible work for the community in Hout Bay and need all the funding they can to keep it going.”
Team administrator Antoinette Crane, who has done 10 Cycle Tours, said: “I believe in the work that iKhaya does, giving children a solid start in life. Supporting them is my small way of helping that.
“Last year, we had a team of 12 competing in the 2023 Cape Town Cycle Tour to help raise funds for iKhaya. This year we have grown to 21 team members. But the real difference can be made if we get an enthusiastic support in sponsoring our efforts.”
For more information or to make a contribution, contact Sara Clarke at 079 092 2952 or ikhayalethemba.org.za.