Mount Edgecombe resident cycles for a good cause

WHEN it comes to charitable causes and putting the community first, one need not look any further than Mount Edgecombe resident Gords Reid.

For years, the local resident has raised funds for various non-profit organisations, including the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC).

This year, Reid, along with a group of friends, completed a number of events in aid of raising funds for Rainbows and Smiles and Salt40.

“We have a monthly run in Ballito for Traderoot Active where we donate money to Salt40 and their Bikes and Behaviours Project. A group of eight almost-50-year-olds decided to run a 50km trail run called the Mount-Aux-Sources Challenge, and we raised some money for a charity called Rainbows and Smiles.

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“This was an incredible challenge as you literally run up for 25km and then back down to Royal Natal National Park. We also had an anonymous donation of R100 000 for a Rainbows and Smiles Golf Day that was organised at Mount Edgecombe a couple of months ago. We also completed the 65km Amashova on a handcycle for Salt40 Foundation.

Through his fundraising initiatives, Reid raised R21 650 for Salt40, an NPO that promotes active lifestyles through cycling.

“I’ve witnessed first-hand the effect Salt40 has on schoolgoing kids, where they teach their ‘Bikes and Behaviour’ programme which encourages children to learn and understand society values, helping more kids while spreading hope and making impactful change in the lives of today’s youth. They needed a trailer to transport the bikes to the rural schools, and that’s what the R20 000 target was set for.

Luckily, another friend of mine anonymously gave me R20 000 towards this, and the balance was made up from entrepreneurs and friends,” he explained.

Reid said he hoped his actions would inspire others to give back in a meaningful way.

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“I read that the language kids speak is action. I aim to show my children that giving is way more important than taking. We have to give, and in giving, we shall receive way more. We are privileged in so many ways – health being the most precious. We need to appreciate our privilege and use it to inspire the next generation.

“There are so many deserving charities; the trick is to choose one. Take my niece, for instance, who wants to be a vet one day – she has raised over R10 000 for Paws Charity and fosters dogs. My advice would be to find a charity and give it what you can give in time, money and support. You will gain so much from giving back,” he said.