Students cycle on epic journey to raise funding for orphans of HIV/AIDS

A team of energetic cyclists set off at dawn today (16 January, 2004) on a challenging cross-country journey to raise money for orphans left destitute by HIV/AIDS.

The cyclists and their support team on the Old Mutual Wheels of Hope tour began their mission in Pietermaritzburg and are due to arrive 18 days and 1700km later in Cape Town. Their journey will stop at villages and cities en route on their visionary journey to highlight the plight of children left in the wake of HIV/AIDS.

Team co-ordinator George Eadie (20) said the group was comprised of mainly students from the University of Cape Town and the team of 16 South Africans had been joined by a visiting British advertising executive.

"Our energy was calling out to be channelled in a positive way. We wanted to not only create good memories but also help build our country. Out of this was born the idea to cycle from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town to raise funds for a worthy cause.

"We recognised that the HIV/AIDS pandemic was the most challenging long-term threat to South Africa, so we decided to help the Starfish Foundation, an HIV/AIDS charity that focuses on helping children orphaned or left vulnerable by the disease. Old Mutual then helped us get the project off the ground."

The primary sponsor for the team is Old Mutual, which is backing the tour as part of its holistic strategy towards stemming the tide of HIV/AIDS. The tour is also endorsed as a Proudly South African event. National radio station SAfm is supporting the trip as Media Partner.

Old Mutual Healthcare Managing Director Sizwe Mncwango said: "It is compelling that our young adults realise the importance of creating awareness about this life-threatening illness. It is also compelling because they know that by making a stand and grouping together we can overcome HIV/AIDS."

Mncwango said it was important to note that 70% of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS were HIV-negative.

Gary Oberholzer, Acting Marketing Manager of SAfm said: "We support the efforts of charities like Starfish who exist as a lifeline for those affected by HIV/AIDS. As a radio station with a social conscience, SAfm felt it was ideally suited to add value to the Old Mutual Wheels of Hope project.

"Not only does SAfm's national broadcast footprint best suit the route being tackled by the cyclists; but the HIV/AIDS messages being carried by the cyclists will mirror those regularly conveyed in SAfm's public service programming. It only makes sense then, that SAfm leverage our regional networks to help publicise the project - and raise awareness around the virus - and the aims of Starfish. We hope our participation is a further affirmation of our corporate citizenship - to our staff, our stakeholders and to our audience. SAfm is proud to partner Old Mutual in the Wheels of Hope project."

All funds raised will go directly to the Starfish Greathearts Foundation (www.starfishcharity.org). The goal is to challenge individuals and companies to dedicate R12 a day towards changing the lives of children affected by HIV/AIDS, or R4400 a year. It is predicted that one million children will have been orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS in South Africa by 2005.

Starfish Greathearts Foundation director Tracey Webster said the organisation was founded in London by a group of young South Africans and their friends two years ago. The concept is based on the tale of a young woman at the edge of the sea, who was seen repeatedly bending down and throwing beached starfish back into the water. A bystander asked how she thought she could possibly make a difference to the mountain of stranded sea creatures. She bent down, tossing another one back into the water and said: "It made a difference to that one."

More details are available on www.wheelsofhope.org.za and pledges may be made to 083 913 8052.