[BLOG] A rainy start to Ride for a Child 2021

LIMPOPO – Getting up at the crack of dawn the sky looked bleak and rainy and we expected a wet start to our 21 day charity motorbike ride on Valentines day.

We left White River on schedule with a police motorbike escort who escorted us all the way to the Klaserie turnoff and by that time we were soaked from riding in the rain. Just as I managed to put my full raincoat on, the rain stopped, overheating I had to take it off again and “Walla”, the rain started again. Mother nature was having a bit of fun with me.

Arriving at our first overnight stop at Lalapanzi Hotel about 20km before Louis Trichardt we were met by a group of bikers who came out to meet us and to our surprise Major Mandesa Mfeka was one of them. Major Mfeka is the first black woman fighter pilot in South Africa and also a keen biker.

She flies military jets for the South African air force. Absolutely fantastic meeting her and all the persons who came out to meet us.

Day two we had to “touch” the most Northern border of South Africa at Beitbridge as we aim to visit the most Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern corners of South Africa and by doing that we draw a symbolic circle around South Africa to show our support to our South African children in our “Circle”.

We got off to a slow start in the morning after the N1 North was closed temporarily following an accident involving two trucks on the highway causing one to burn out.

The distance we travelled on day two was approximately 522 km riding from Louis Trichardt to the Border post then back to Louis Trichardt and onwards to Lephalale. Travelling was slow due to heavy rains and in places bad potholes in the roads. We were all muscle sore but in good spirits when we arrived at our overnight stop in Lephalale.

Day three of our annual “ride for a child” charity bike ride and we are departing from Ellisras (Lephalale) onwards to Rustenburg via Thabazimbi and judging by the clouds it may be a wet ride…

Ride for a Child 2021

Travelling all around South Africa on motorbikes in the hope of raising much needed funds for medical treatment & surgeries for vulnerable children in need – help that in many cases literally means the difference between life and death of a  child.

In 2017 Dr Andre Hattingh founded Pediatric Care Africa and his vision and total dedication of helping our children in South Africa is unwavering.

Since day one the PCA team has been on a mission, to give as many children access to medical care, surgeries and medicine as we can and further to make sure no child goes to bed hungry or become malnourished, as we believe that children have the absolute right to thrive and lastly not to turn our backs on communities effected by disasters, man made or natural. With this in mind, we needed to establish sustainable fundraising projects to generate funds to assist children with medical issues that is unable to receive appropriate treatment timeously, and the idea of “Ride for a Child” charity motor bike ride was conceived and soon became a reality.

To be part of our endeavour to help children you can join us on the ride for any distance you choose if you are a motor bike rider, or sponsor Dr Andre per km travelled on this charity motor bike ride or make any donation you feel comfortable with – it is up to you how you wish to support our team on their mission.

Loud pipes save lives…. For more information follow this link: https://www.pediatriccareafrica.org/the-second-ride-for-a-child-around-south-africa-is-coming-feb-march-2021-not-to-be-missed/ Kicking off in White River at the White river Square shopping centre on the 14 February at 09:00 traveling to all 4 the corners of South Africa in 21 Days – We invite you to support this very noble cause and to join us on this adventure. or full information and route details please visit: www.Pediatriccareafrica.org