International development charity Transaid has assembled the largest ever team of cyclists to take part in one of its fundraising challenges and it’s all taking place here in South Africa in March 2017 under the banner of Cycle South Africa 2017.
The organisation has reported an “unprecedented appetite for places” declaring the event a ‘sell-out’ with each of the 43 available bikes now assigned to a rider for Cycle South Africa 2017. A reserve list has been opened in case of any drop-outs before next March.
So what has cycling got to do with trucking? Not a lot really but Transaid certainly does as this development organisation has as its aim to improve people’s quality of life in the developing world by making transport more available and affordable. It was founded by Save the Children and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) and works by sharing skills and knowledge with local people to enable them to put in place and manage efficient transport systems. It enjoys enjoys strong backing from the transport and logistics industry in the UK and the active involvement of its patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
Transaid’s core work includes creating transport management systems for the public sector and assisting with the provision of professional driving qualification development and the training of driver trainers. It also assists with teaching preventive vehicle maintenance management and introducing local, low cost transport solutions including its innovative bicycle ambulance. Transaid also helps promote road safety awareness and shares its specialist knowledge with the humanitarian aid sector.
In a recent edition of this newsletter, FleetWatch reported on Transaid expanding its professional driver training programmes into Malawi following the programme’s success in raising commercial driver training standards in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Click here to read the story:
Commenting on Cycle South Africa 2017, Aggie Krasnolucka-Hickman, Transaid’s head of marketing and communications, says: “We’ve assembled a fantastic peloton of riders made up of people from across the transport and logistics industry. The fact the event is graded as ‘challenging’ has inspired people to set themselves the goal, train hard and sign up early. One thing we can be sure of is that they are going to raise vital funds for Transaid while exploring an amazing part of the world – and we are truly grateful for their commitment to Transaid.”
Cycle South Africa 2017 starts in Cape Town on March 10th next year and will give riders the opportunity to cycle through some of South Africa’s most spectacular scenery, covering 450km in five days from the Western Cape to Cape Agulhas – the southernmost tip of the African continent.
Funds are raised via participants paying a £299 (R5 200) registration fee and meeting a minimum £3 500 (R61 000) sponsorship target, although many are eager to raise significantly more. Riders will represent companies including Clipper Logistics, DFDS Seaways DV, DHL, General Mills UK, H&R Gray Haulage, Hoyer Petrolog UK, Informa Exhibitions, Impact, Labyrinth Logistics Consulting, Lafarge Tarmac, LDH (La Doria) Ltd, Leapfrog Marketing, Michelin Tyre, Microlise, Potter Logistics, Renault Truck UK, RHA and Road Transport Media, Samworth Brothers Supply Chain, Stewart Oades Associates, ThoughtWorks, TRS Tyres, Yorkshire Bus and Coach Sale, Office of the Traffic Commissioners and Z-Tech Control Systems.
So there’s a whole ‘herd’ of UK transport orientated cyclists coming to visit our shores next year. Let’s give them a warm South African welcome.
