Grey College Old Boys Do It Again for CANSA Active
Grey College Old Boys Cape Town Cycle Tour 2022 in aid of CANSA and Diabetes SA
On Sunday 13 March 2022, a group of 40 Grey College, Bloemfontein, old boys are riding the Cape Town Cycle Tour to create awareness and raise funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and Diabetes South Africa (Diabetes SA).
Charlie Van Der Linde, one of the group’s organisers and cyclists, says, “We chose CANSA because various Old Grey’s, and some of their family members, are living with cancer. In 2020, Raymond van Niekerk (old Grey boy and former Global Head of Marketing for Investec) was part of our team. Raymond had stage four kidney cancer and diabetes, at the time, and finished the race on an e-bike.”
The Old Grey’s are passionate about raising funds for CANSA to ensure that they can continue offering care, support and counselling to all those affected by cancer across South Africa. “As a group of old boys, we can show the rest of South Africa that our school cares not only for our own old boys, but also for society in general. It is a huge privilege for us to take hands with charities, like CANSA, and make a difference,” Van Der Linde added.
Grey College School for boys, founded in 1855 in Bloemfontein, has produced some prominent and diverse individuals that have played a role in South African society. They include: Bram Fischer, lawyer noted for anti-apartheid activism and for the legal defence of anti-apartheid figures, including Nelson Mandela at the Rivonia Trial, Ryk Neethling, businessman who rose to prominence as the three-times World Champion and four-times World Record Breaking Olympic swimming champion, Wayde Van Niekerk, the current world and Olympic record holder and world and Olympic champion in the 400m, Hansie Cronje, international cricketer and captain of the South African national cricket team in the 1990s, Jacques Nienaber, head coach of the Springboks and Charl du Plessis, a classical and jazz pianist (one of five South African Steinway artists and has won two South African Music Awards).
Leillani Geduld, CANSA Sustainability Manager – Cape Metro, Free State and Northern Cape, says “We are honoured to have the support of the Old Grey’s, for the past four years. They are an incredible group, doing so much to raise funds for CANSA and create awareness of the work that we do. To date they have raised R27 194 through their efforts for which we are most grateful.”
This is the second time, in the history of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, that the old boys from Grey have entered such a large team to ride the 109KM route and plans are already in motion for the next event. “The idea for 2023 is to challenge other boys’ schools to match our entries. We see this event not as a single once-off charity event, but ongoing, and we were fortunate enough to obtain a sponsorship from Alivio Financial Services towards our initiative.” concluded Bertus Preller, one of the group’s organisers.
As well as ensuring that CANSA can continue offering their specialised care and support for those affected by cancer, funds generated from events like this help CANSA to also promote cancer awareness, through their health campaigns, educate regarding the importance of early detection of cancer, through their community screenings at CANSA Care Centres across South Africa. CANSA also makes use of funds to develop and promote tools such as the Lifestyle Risk Assessment Tool, which educates the public on how to lower their cancer risk and live a balanced lifestyle.
If you would like to make a donation towards the Old Grey’s campaign, donations can be made online through their secure link on GivenGain – https://www.givengain.com/e/grey-college-old-boys-ctct-2022/ – or via EFT using the following bank details:
Bank: ABSA
Account Number: 9282709835
Branch Code: 632005
Account Type: Savings
Ref: DonateCTCT + Your name & surname
Email POP: lgeduld@cansa.org.za
Swift Code: ABSAZAJJ
31 Shades of Grey College Old Boy cyclists will do this for cancer and diabetes at the Cape Town Cycle Tour on 13 March – One school making a difference.
To donate to their online fundraising project: https://www.givengain.com/team/1998/initiative/2681/
Or support the individual riders:
Ivan van Niekerk Bertus Preller Mpho Pula Lukas Malan Charlie van der Linde
Johandri Bruwer Ken Metcalf Etienne Swanepoel Gerhard Oosthuizen Thys Botha
Wilhelm Lichtenberg Alwyn Malan Andre van Vuuren Ben Vorster
Christian Strydom Delarey Brugman Duane Muller Gavin Coleske
George de Beer Gerbe Zerwick Hayden Wroughton Ian Small Jacobus Prinsloo
Jandre Steyn Luiz Gomes Martin Raubenheimer Eoloff Badenhorst Pieter du Preez
Rowan Raaff Sophocles Kleovoulou Theo Bezuidenhout Stefa Burger