Fund-raising cycle ends after three days
Cyclists raising funds for a Kloof animal anti-cruelty organisation have ended their journey at 850kms but the public can still support their fund-raising effort.
OPERATIONS Manager at the Kloof and Highway SPCA, Sarah van Heerden’s 1600kms cycle from Johannesburg to Cape Town has ended, short of the destination.
The aim was for van Heerden and friend, Greg Lock to complete the distance in six days to raise R100 000 for a sterilization clinic due to be held at the SPCA in October. Although the geographical goal was not reached, the public can still help the duo to reach the financial goal which the cycle supported.
“The reward of this journey will not be reaching our destination but rather reaching our goal of raising R100 000,” said van Heerden, before she embarked on the epic journey.
Van Heerden and Lock left Vanderbijl Park on September 18 and completed an astounding 850kms in three days, riding through pouring rain and icy head winds, in near freezing temperatures. Both cyclists have spent more than a decade in the saddle with van Heerden cycling this distance for the third time, while a journey of this length was a first for Lock.
Van Heerden thanked the public for their support thus far and said she would give feedback on donations raised.
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The Sterilisation Outreach Clinic
The Kloof and Highway SPCA Sterilisation Outreach Clinic, which the pair is raising funds for is due to run from October 3 to 7. The outreach clinic, planned strategically to fall in the school holidays, sees education of pet owners and children as a key aspect and will focus on the Dassenhoek and Tshelimnyama areas.
The expected cost of the outreach clinic will be R100 000, and the process includes sending inspectors into the focus areas the week before the clinic, to hand out pamphlets and engage with the community. The animals will subsequently be transported to the SPCA premises and rabies vaccinations, inoculations, parasite control treatments, and sterilisations will be undertaken in a marquee erected on the Kloof grounds for the duration of the clinic.
Van Heerden says, “We will have three vets working daily at the outreach clinic and will need to pay for the medical expenses which include anesthetics, antibiotics, and pain killers. We like to send every animal home with a blanket and a bag of food. Our goal is to treat 150 to 200 animals over the course of the week.”
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How can you support the cause?
Members of the public are encouraged to donate any amount towards this cause through the link on the Kloof and Highway SPCA’s page or the bank details below. The reference ‘Ride’ or ‘Outreach’ is to be used.
Kloof and Highway SPCA, First National Bank, Account number: 50730485741, Branch code: 221526
