Impey to lead the pack
Daryl Impey, the first African to wear the leader’s jersey of the Tour de France, will lead the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge Sunday on November 17, dressed in yellow for the children of the Teddy Bear Clinic.
GLENVISTA – The group will raise over R300 000 for the clinic, which assists abused children. Impey will be joined by Geraint Thomas, the double Olympic gold medallist, and David O’Sullivan, Talk Radio 702 host, who is the patron of the Teddy Bear Clinic and has been the moving force behind organising the fund-raising peloton.
“I ride the Cycle Challenge each year for a charity,” said Impey. “This year I asked Kevin McCallum of The Star newspaper if he knew of someone I should ride for in 2013, and he put me in touch with David. He told me about the work the charity does for abused kids, and it was a no brainer. Ali and I had our first child this year and to be able to do something for children in need is an honour.
“It has been awesome being back in South Africa,” said Impey.
“I knew the yellow jersey was important for South African and African cycling, but I have been blown away by how much it impacted on so many people. Being home and being able to share the experience, and, now, with David, being able to give something back to those who need, makes me proud to be a South African.”
For O’Sullivan, who admitted he has not ridden a bicycle since his 1984, riding the 94.7km on Cycle Challenge Sunday has seen him hit the gym hard for the last few months.
“When I was talking to Daryl in Spain, I realised he expected me to ride with him,” said O’Sullivan. “Daryl told me to go to see (former top professional) Tony, Daryl’s dad, at his bicycle shop in Bedfordview. He sold me a bike, and when I told him more about the Teddy Bear Clinic and what we were riding for, he immediately donated his R1 000 and said he would ride with us.
“The Teddy Bear Clinic is self-funded and really battles for money. It’s a medical institution that assists children who have been abused, and also children who abuse because they have been victims in their past and think that this is a normal way of life. So, it’s for the abused and the abuser, and helps them assimilate back into normal life. This money will solve their financial woes for this year.
