Let’s get spinning! Protea spin bowler Johan Botha cycles for charity

This year Johan starts his challenge at 12 noon on Saturday, 31 July and ends at 12 noon on Sunday, 1 August 2010.  Johan will cycle around St. George's Park for 24 hours in order to raise funds for people with special needs.

Preparations for the challenge have already started and the event promises to be better and more exciting than the previously acclaimed ones.

Botha, who is a keen cyclist, said it is the support of the community that inspired him to take on the challenge yet again this year.  "With the help of so many supporting cyclists, we cycled the distance of approximately 560 km making 259 trips around St. Georges Park last year.  My aim this year is to better my record," said Botha.

After every hour Botha takes a 10 minute break and after five hours he takes a one hour break to change, shower and eat.  Meanwhile supporting cyclists continue to cycle on his behalf.

Dave Emslie, CEO of Cricket Eastern Cape supports Botha's selfless gesture.  "We again have an outstanding example of a professional sportsman recognising his elite status and resolving to improve the lives of those less fortunate.  Johan demonstrates a powerful sense of community in all that he does and this initiative is but another example of his commitment to the Port Elizabeth community.  Both the Sponsor Chevrolet and the Cricket Eastern Cape Board laud his efforts and express our full support for this exciting initiative."

The beneficiaries that Botha nominated for 2010 are:  Nkosinathi Foundation of Blind and Partially Sighted People, Quest School for Autism and the Cerebral Palsy Association.

Nkosinathi Foundation of the Blind and Parially Sighted assists and educates people to adopt strategies which counteract the detrimental effects of blindness.  Quest School is for learners with Autism.  Autism is a lifelong and extremely complex disability that stems from a genetic origin and results in biochemical dysfunction of the brain.  Cerebral Palsy Association empowers individuals and families affected by cerebral palsy, enabling them to reach their maximum potential as integral and productive members of the community.

Johan has raised an appeal to the community for their kind support in order to help him fulfil his mission to raise as much funds as possible to financially assist these local charities that have been nominated.

Friends, family and staff from companies are welcome to come to Axxess DSL St. George's and make a pledge and enjoy the various activities such as big screen rugby, craft stalls, food stalls, meet the Chevrolet Warriors and get their autographs and also entertainment by Donovan Vallance.

Botha also said, "To raise further funds we are auctioning off some of my cricket attire used during the recent West Indies Cricket Tour as well as four VIP cricket tickets to attend an IPL Rajasthan Royals Cricket Game next year in India."

Your support in attending the event or making a financial contribution is greatly appreciated. 

Donations can be made into the following bank account:

Bank:  ABSA / Name:  Cycle Challenge / Branch:  511 917 / Acc. Number:  9203931968

Kindly fax a proof of payment to Monica on 041 373 6521 or e-mail to mj_botha@telkomsa.net.