Durban Community makes toy drive a success

Eric Prinsloo, who founded Classic Steel Vintage Cycling, organised the toy drive as part of the annual Christmas Hat Ride.

DESPITE inclement weather forcing organisers to cancel the Christmas Hat Cycle on Sunday, December 11, people came out in their numbers to donate toys in support of St Giles.

Eric Prinsloo, who founded Classic Steel Vintage Cycling, organised the toy drive as part of the annual Christmas Hat Ride which sees cyclists getting into the Christmas spirit by donning festive hats for a cycle along Durban’s promenade.

While the festive cycle is held annually, Prinsloo added a charity element to this year’s event by asking participants to donate a toy in lieu of an entrance fee.

“We had about 30 people come out to donate toys, and we have gathered a lot of toys. Build it brought two full boxes of toys. We will host the ride next week, but we went ahead with the toy collection this week because St Giles will be closed next week,” said Prinsloo. “This is our fourth annual Christmas Hat Ride, and we will be doing this every year going forward, with a charity drive.”

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Based in Durban’s Point area, 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.

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Jean Erasmus, an avid cyclist and document controller at St Giles, said the toys will be put to good use by St Giles.

“Some of the toys will be donated to our workers and some to our patients. Some toys will be sold in our charity shop to raise funds for St Giles,” said Erasmus.

The 10–14km ride will take place this weekend. Participants will set off from Pirates Lifesaving Club on the Durban promenade.

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