Freight and Logistics Staff Saddle Up for Charity in Record Numbers

SOUTH AFRICA – International development charity Transaid, has assembled its largest ever team of cyclists to take part in one of its fundraising challenges in Africa – with each of the 43 available bikes now assigned to a rider for Cycle South Africa 2017. The charity, a favourite among many freight and logistics interests for its work in bringing easy access to transportation in areas most in need, has reported unprecedented appetite for places declaring the event a ‘sell-out’ with eight months still to go before the team saddles up in Cape Town.

Cycle South Africa 2017 commences on March 10 and will give riders the opportunity to ride through some of South Africa’s most spectacular scenery, covering 450 kilometres in five days from the Western Cape to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the African continent. A reserve list has been opened in case of any unavoidable drop-outs before next March, and to allow supporters to register for Transaid’s next three-day European cycle event – to be launched this summer. Aggie Krasnolucka-Hickman, Transaid’s Head of Marketing and Communications, said:

“We have assembled a fantastic peloton of riders, made up of people from across the transport and logistics industry – including many new faces from our latest corporate supporters.

“The fact the event is graded as ‘challenging’ has inspired people to set themselves the goal, train hard and sign up early. We never expected to have 43 ‘bums on seats’ so early, though whether they will still be sitting down as they cross the finishing line is another matter! One thing we can be sure of is that they are going to raise vital funds for Transaid while exploring an amazing part of the world, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to Transaid.”

Participants pay a £299 registration fee and meet a minimum £3,500 sponsorship target, although many are eager to raise significantly more. Riders will represent companies including Clipper Logistics, DFDS Seaways DV, DHL, General Mills UK, H&R Gray Haulage, Hoyer Petrolog UK, Informa Exhibitions, Impact, Labyrinth Logistics Consulting, Lafarge Tarmac, LDH (La Doria) Ltd, Leapfrog Marketing, Michelin Tyre, Microlise, Potter Logistics, Renault Truck UK, RHA and Road Transport Media, Samworth Brothers Supply Chain, Stewart Oades Associates, ThoughtWorks, TRS Tyres, Yorkshire Bus and Coach Sale, Office of the Traffic Commissioners, Z-Tech Control Systems.

The last African challenge, Cycle Tanzania 2015, raised a staggering £133,000 for Transaid. Cycle South Africa 2017 is the latest in a long line of cycling challenges in support of Transaid. Every 12 to 18 months, up to 30 participants take on the challenge of mountain biking across some of the most rural parts of Africa.

Though registration for Cycle South Africa has now closed, in the coming weeks Transaid will be launching its next European Ride – London to Paris Cycle Challenge, September 2017.

Photo: A range of Transaid schemes based around the transport concept make real changes to people’s lives, from cycle ambulances heading into isolated villages to training local drivers to a professional standard, like those shown here in Malawi.