Cyclists ‘pumped’ for festive toy drive

FESTIVE fun will be had by cyclists participating in the fourth annual Classic Bicycle Christmas Hat Ride and toy collection drive on Sunday, December 11. Community cyclists are invited to join in the fun event which is held in aid of St Giles, a charity based in Durban’s Point area.

Eric Prinsloo, who founded Classic Steel Vintage Cycling, is the organiser behind the charity-driven cycle event. He was inspired to start a classic cycling club in the 031 after attending an event in Cape Town a few years ago.

“Classic Cycling is where you ride old vintage and steel bikes. I attended a Classic Cycling event in Cape Town and came back and decided to start a group here. We collect and restore old bicycles. We meet at Pirates Lifesaving Club once a fortnight for a cycle,” he said.

This year’s cycle ride is the first one with a charity element.

“This is our fourth Christmas Hat Ride, and it will be the first year we are collecting toys for charity, although we have hosted an Easter ride before where we handed out Easter eggs to children. The Christmas Hat Ride is always such fun – it brings a smile to people’s faces, and we decided to take it up a notch this year and collect toys,” said Prinsloo.

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Jean Erasmus, an avid cyclist and document controller at St Giles, will be participating in the Christmas Hat Ride.

“The ride will be about 10–14 km long; it’s an easy and relaxed ride as we don’t have helmets on, and safety is important. We welcome beginners and seasoned cyclists alike. Join in with unicycles, hand cycles and tricycles – anything on wheels. It’s a fun community event to get into the Christmas spirit,” said Erasmus.

“Toys donated to St Giles will be donated to our patients and workers. Other toys will be sold in our second-hand shop to generate an income for St Giles,” explained Erasmus.

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While there is no entry fee to participate in the Christmas Hat Ride, community members taking part are required to bring a toy to donate.

“Any toy will be accepted, including soft toys, puzzles and books,” said Erasmus.

More about St Giles

Saint Giles houses a remedial therapy centre, where people with disabilities access quality rehabilitative treatment, and a work centre that employs 75 disabled staff members who package products for several companies. Of these, 30 staff are contracted to work at the National Blood Institute in Pinetown on behalf of Saint Giles. Other activities at Saint Giles include an educational trust, offering bursaries to university students, and a charity shop, offering affordable items to the public. The charity shop also offers mobility devices for hire to the public at reasonable rates, including wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers. The St Giles charity shop is open from Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 14:00 – visit the shop for Christmas shopping ahead of the festive season.

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