Kyalami Grade 12 learner Erin Bayliss will lead her Wolfpack cycling team in the Discovery 947 Ride Joburg cycle event on 17 November. Registered with the 947 Ride For A Purpose, she hopes to raise
R100 000 for the HuskyRomi Rescue and Wolf Sanctuary by the end of the cycle race.
Erin’s extraordinary bond with these wolves is what motivated her to take on this ambitious task, driven by a deep gratitude to the wolves for the invaluable life lessons they have taught her and their contribution to her personal development.
“It is my time to give back to them and the best way I can do this is by using the skills they have taught me; drive, passion, loyalty and respect. I am not a quitter; I owe this to them,” expounded an enthusiastic Bayliss.
She first visited HuskyRomi in 2017, shy and nervous to interact with the wolves. “I was terrified but the wolves were calm and welcoming. Once I learnt to relax and allowed them to sniff and explore me, there was no turning back.
“I have been actively involved with the sanctuary and these incredible animals for almost three years now and I feel very honoured that the board appointed me as the HuskyRomi Youth Ambassador in 2018.
“They have taught me to be confident and observant and not to be judgmental. Through them, I have realised the importance of structure in life so we function efficiently and effectively, just like their packs do. Their loyalty to the pack is obvious and they care about one another. This opened my eyes to the need for us humans to care for and to respect each other.”
HuskyRomi Rescue and Wolf Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation which relies entirely on private and corporate donations and sponsorship. Located in Reitz in the Free State, they provide a home to more than 220 wolves and huskies who have been abandoned or abused. Many of the animals arrive in very poor condition and are rehabilitated with loving care.
The sanctuary looks after all these animals for the span of their natural lives because they cannot be cared for as normal pets. Therefore, all donations received are used to buy food for the animals, for maintaining the existing enclosures and building new enclosures as well as for vet bills, animal supplements and tick control.
Erin has trained hard for the cycle race and is ready to lead her pack on the day. The team comprises of 16 cyclists from across the country and from a diverse spectrum of professions. There are attorneys, accountants, advocates, builders, educators, curators and bankers, all of whom will be cycling to support Erin in her quest to raise money for the sanctuary. The cyclists will ride as a pack and will be easily identified as the HuskyRomi Wolfpack by their wolf-like cycling gear
Erin is appealing to everyone to help her reach her goal – whether it is to create awareness and appeal for donations or by buying advertising space on their cycling shirts or sponsoring the printing on the cycling shirts or simply by making a donation to this cause.
For information on how to sponsor or make a donation, visit the dedicated Facebook Page – 94.7 Ride and raise for Huskyromi.
With your help Erin will be able to give these animals the second chance in life they really deserve.
Details: HuskyRomi Rescue and Wolf Sanctuary www.huskyromi.co.za/wp
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/221013/ride-like-a-cowboy/
