FIRM supporter of the Jes Foord Foundation and former Hillcrest resident, Jurie Botha, was attacked in Brazil last week during his fund-raiser campaign.
The humanitarian took to his Facebook page, JB_adventures, shortly after the attack.
“I ran past two guys standing next to the road, not thinking anything of it. Just as I passed them, they grabbed my backpack and tried to rip it off me, but it was strapped across my chest and waist.
“I fell over onto my back and immediately jumped up. As I was getting up I felt the hit to the side of my face. Instinctively I started throwing punches and managed to fight them off, then I made a run for it,” said Botha.
The local police informed Botha that similar incidents had occurred that same week.
“They are targetting travellers purely to get the US dollars which most of us carry.”
“I have been warned by just about everyone here about the crime in Brazil, but I’ve taken it with a pinch of salt as we do the same to foreigners travelling in South Africa, but still we continue with our daily lives.”
His trip started in May this year as the Cycle South Against Rape but due to technical difficulties along the route, he launched plan b, Run2Rio.
He said he would end the Run2Rio campaign as he has a responsibility towards his son and family.
ALSO READ: Jurie pedals many extra miles for local charity
“This is not the end of my adventures, nor my efforts to make a difference in the lives of victims of rape and sexual assault.”
He will take a short sabbatical and continue his fund-raiser and awareness campaign in 2018. He will kick off the African leg of the Cycle South Against Rape in Egypt in early January.
To help him reach his goal of R250 000 for the Jes Foord Foundation, make a donation by visiting his Facebook page.
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