Bikers open hearts to the community

POLOKWANE – Richard and Lynne van Balkom started the Bikers That Care (BTC) motorcycle club in 2007 as they were dissatisfied with the previous club they were part of.

“We heard about BTC in Bela-Bela and decided to open our own chapter in Polokwane. They did not have a patch (emblem) so we designed our own and it was accepted by our sister club in Bela-Bela,” Lynne explains.

An experience that Richard and Lynne will always remember is when they started the Kids Cancer Run. “Together with Reach for a Dream we took young cancer patients of the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital and survivors to a venue and made a special day for them to always remember,” Lynne says. Some bikers took the children for rides on their bikes.

They cherish the memory of the first cheque they handed over to Martha Hofmeyr Old Age Home in 2007. The money was raised with the first Goldens Oldies Rally and it became an annual rally for all bikers in and around Polokwane. “I still remember the money was used to do the paving, security and painting at the home.

“The charity events we did were the Kiddies Easter Run, which became the Kids Cancer Run, Golden Oldies, Memorial Run and Limpopo North Toy Run.

“We currently do the Golden Oldies and the Limpopo North Toy Run only as such projects take a lot of time planning.

“These two projects are very dear to us,” Lynne explains.

The Van Balkoms and the other members of the club have a passion for charity and help others when and where possible. “We are not a charity organisation, but a bike club passionate about charity and doing good for the underprivileged in the community.”