Ten years ago a daring group of cyclists set off on bicycles to Queenstown to raise money for bursaries. A feat that they have repeated every year since then and to date have raised about R6 million for education. This year on the 10th anniversary of the ride they will be heading down the same road for the same purpose. In 2011 they started on the 8th April and in 2020 they will start on the 8th April again! And this year I will be joining them for the first time as an active participant! (Since the inception of the 1965ride, I have been involved with the administration, statutory and financial aspects of this charity event.)
This cycle tour was started in 2011 in an effort to raise money for and awareness of the poor state of education in the Eastern Cape.
But the news is not all bad. The Eastern Cape, in particular, has long been a source of iconic leaders – Sisulu, Mbeki, Tambo, Biko, Sobukwe, Mandela and many others – and the situation is not that poor education is simply a fact of Eastern Cape living. In fact, some of the schools in the Queenstown district are amongst the top in the country – Balmoral Girls Primary, Hoërskool Hangklip, Laerskool Hangklip, Queens College Senior and Junior, Queenstown Girl’s High School, Southbourne Primary. We firmly believe that the route out of poverty and inequality is a quality education.
By sending deserving young men and women to excellent schools we are giving them the opportunity to receive quality education, and thus also the chance of a lifetime, and the provision of hope to the community.
This is the mission of the 1965Ride!
The ride begins in Johannesburg every April and runs through the magnificent landscapes of the Eastern Free State next to the Drakensberg Mountains and then into the Stormberg Range down to Queenstown.
The 1965Ride cycle tour is part of a broader vision to support the development of the schools in the Queenstown district of the Eastern Cape and to provide talented youngsters with the opportunity of a lifetime – a good education.
Much more information is available on the tour website: www.1965Ride.co.za
As you know, I have fallen in love with a blue bicycle with pink star handlebars! 💗🚲💕🚲💗🚲 💕
I have discovered a new and exhilarating lifestyle and have chosen to use this new passion for some good this year. I will be cycling 850km from Jozi to Queenstown over 9 days to raise money for bursaries for poor but talented kids. Who knows, the next Siya Kolisi could be one of them!
I know that it is also close to your heart to support worthy causes and I would ask you to consider supporting the 1965Ride as one of your chosen charities this year.
All sponsorships are tax-deductible and you will be issued with a Section 18A tax certificate to support your donation and to enable SARS to allow your claim. If you do choose to make a donation, please follow the link http://1965ride.co.za/the-1965ride-sponsorship-form/ and please use Chanelle Houston as a reference.
Thank you for joining me in making a difference in talented youngster’s lives.
