The Thomsom Smillie Foundation’s cyclists made their stop in Bloemfontein on Saturday after completing 1000km thus far in aid of raising funds for secondary school education.

Co-founder and CEO of the Foundation, Peter Thomson, says the cyclists started their journey at Pont Drift, one of the boarders between South Africa and Botswana.

Their aim is to reavel to Cape Town over twelve days, covering a total distance of 2090km. The group has to cover an average of 180km a day.

The cyclists were welcomed with a Boerie at the Mangaug Oval. Photo: Heidre Malgas

“Cyclists are always up for a challenge, they like to test the boundaries, they wanted to ride the length of the country and they bought into the foundation’s vision which is raising funds for secondary schools,” Thomson said.

The cyclists completed the same route in 2021 and it was a very big success where they had raised about R350 000, with their aim being R500 000 for this year.

“The vision of the foundation is to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds get decent education. We started at Fish Hoek High, and we are currently focused on that school, however, in years to come we are going to approach schools from along the route,” he added.

All the cyclists fund their own journey, giving their time, and they also take leave to raise the funds towards their cost of their journey.

“All the donations we get from corporate sponsors are 100% allocated to the children. Our foundation has no expenses and fortunately we are all businesspeople who have a passion and a love for helping others,” Thomson said.

 The foundation has also managed to sponsor Jordan September, who has represented South Africa in the world cycling events and they had broken a South African record.

The cyclist’s journey is not easy. 

“We keep each other going as a team, and when a team works together everyone achieves more,” Thomson says.

He adds that education is the only the only thing that is going to change South Africa going forward.

Thomson says he definitely looks forward to seeing the sea in Cape Town and knowing the journey is over.

Any corporate company who would like to sponsor can visit their website at www.tsfoundation.org or they can contact Thomson at 083 377 5308.

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