Cyclists raise funds

IN 2021, Barry Porter founded Jozi 2 Sea, to make a difference to charities in South Africa. From October 2 to 9, members of Jozi 2 Sea will cycle from Johannesburg to Durban to raise funds for St Theresa’s Home in Sydenham, Durban.

The group of 24 cyclists has raised more than R25 000 for the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), and more than R100000 each for the KZN Children’s Hospital and Pathways School for learners with special education needs.

They have also participated in fund-raising cycle events for St Giles, an NPO for the Aged, and the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa.

Porter, 69, of Morningside in Durban,

founded Jozi 2 Sea. He is a member of the East Coast Cycling Club.

“Jozi 2 Sea comprises cyclists from different clubs. Our focus now is to cycle for St Theresa’s Home, which was nominated for two reasons. Firstly, I was a pupil at St Theresa’s School in the 1950s and became friends with the boys at the home. Secondly, my father-in-law was orphaned as a child and he grew up at St Theresa’s Children’s Home.”

Porter said the home provided residential care to children up to the age of 18.

“They aim to provide a loving and caring environment in which a child can be nurtured. The developmental needs of the children can be met in an appropriate and culturally sensitive manner by qualified and competent staff.

“The boys in the home are either orphaned, vulnerable, HIV- and Aids-affected or infected. The ultimate aim of the holistic developmental approach at the home is to ensure that each boy becomes a socially acceptable member of society despite their trauma.”

Leslie Swartz, 62, of Morningside, who is a member of Jozi 2 Sea and the cycle tour leader for East Coast Cycling Club, said: “We will drive to Johannesburg, then we will cycle from Alberton to Standerton, Volksrust, Newcastle and Ladysmith. We will then head to Estcourt, Pietermaritzburg and Durban. We will cover 650km.”

Debbie Bowers, a director at St Theresa’s Home, said: “The home is 97 years old. We provide care for orphaned and vulnerable boys. As a non-profit organisation, funds are much needed. It will go towards the care of the children.”

Bowers said at present, 68 children lived at the home. She said the cyclists would arrive at the home on October 9 to hand over the funds they had raised.

The team would then cycle from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on October 23 to raise funds for Cansa.