Cyclists to hold fund-raiser for George
He was admitted to hospital with multiple fractures, including broken ribs that penetrated his lungs, a fractured shoulder, scapula and vertebrae.
A well-known champion cyclist from Kempton Park, George de Gouveia (52), and owner of Health and Sports Zone Cycle shop sustained serious injuries during a cycling accident recently.
Some of his cycling achievements as a tandem racer include winning the Cape Argus Race, 947 Race in Johannesburg, South African Championships and the Amashova Race in Durban.
De Gouveia was cycling on Barbara Road when his bike wheels slipped on loose gravel, causing him to collide with a traffic light on February 13. He was admitted to the hospital with multiple fractures, including broken ribs that penetrated his lungs, a fractured shoulder, scapula and vertebrae.
De Gouveia told Express: “This whole experience has been extremely frightening and many mixed emotions. The first week was the worst as I wasn’t allowed any visitors and the pain was so agonising and severe.” He said he wanted to give up mentally and emotionally.
“I’ve never experienced such pain before. Things got better after I was moved to another facility. The nurses and doctors were amazing and, more importantly, I was allowed to have visitors.”
For him seeing family and hearing from friends is the biggest motivator to stay strong. “I never imagined receiving the love and support I have from everyone. I’ve spent so many hours on the bike, training and racing, but what I didn’t realise is in all that time was that I had made so many friends who are some of the most amazing people I know.”
According to concerned friends organising a fund-raiser, de Gouveia’s medical bills are piling up as he’s on limited medical aid. A fund-raising cycling event was held recently, organised by Dean Puntis at Luso África Cycling. The event was chaired by Joe Almeida, who started the initiative by using their charity account to raise funds for de Gouveia.
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More cycling events are being arranged to help him financially. The next ride will be hosted on April 11 at the Mall @ Carnival on Heidelberg and Airport roads in Dalpark.
The event is set to kick off at 6.30am, covering distances of 100km, 70km and 30km. Entry fees will be contributions of R100 for the 100km race and only R1 per km for the other rides. Fees are payable at the venue and any other donations are welcome.
“Going forward I would like to dedicate my time to fund-raisers just like the various cycling clubs have done for me. “The most important thing I have learnt through this experience is that life is short. We take so many things for granted every day. Live your life to the best of your ability,” de Gouveia said.
For more information, contact André Lamprecht on 083 400 5336.
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
