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Earlier this year I mused that “being
in Cape Town and not doing the Argus was a bit like being alone on New Year’s
Eve”. I mentioned that we might have to
start a support group next year...seems like I will be needing a ringside seat...
My son belongs to a tutor group at
school which meets three times a week led by teacher, Jenny Campbell. Boys from
different grades are in the same group and it is an opportunity for the younger
boys to get to know the older boys in a relaxed atmosphere and for the boys to
be a support for each other.
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| Red Cross Children's Hospital - photo from hospital website |
The tutor group has committed to
riding the Argus Cycle Tour this year to raise funds for the Red Cross Hospital.Fourteen boys from Grade 8 to Grade 11 are registered to ride, as well as five
parents and Jenny. I asked her what they
were doing and why...
“At
the beginning of this year I began to feel that I was missing an opportunity to
do something more constructive with time, but could not quantify what I wanted
to achieve,” she explained. “After chatting to one of the boys who had cycled
the event for charity, we all agreed that not only would it be a monumental
achievement for us to ride the Argus, but it would provide an opportunity for
us to give back to our community.”
Initial contact revealed that the
hospital needed R20million, which nearly put a stop to the idea, but the boys
figured out that while they were not likely to raise that much money, they
could try to raise as much as possible.
They
visited the hospital and saw the difference between the wards which have been
upgraded and those which have not, coming away with a deeper understanding of
the very definite need which exists at the hospital for the new facilities
which they plan to raise money for.
The
group spent the morning in the Transplant Ward and the boys saw firsthand what
a fantastic job the staff are doing. To
help with fundraising, they shot a video with children in the ward, trying to
capture the joy of the children who are being saved as a result of the
outstanding work being carried out in less than satisfactory conditions. “We saw and filmed kids who would not be alive
today if it were not for them,” Jenny says.
“We
don’t know how the initiative will turn out, but we are more convinced than
ever that it is a fantastic opportunity for us to do something
significant. It is a little scary at
times, but we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We have put ourselves out of our comfort
zones and it feels good. We have been
blown away by the level of support from the staff at school, the staff at the
hospital and from the parents in our tutor group.”
“Right
now we are dreaming very big. We are
hoping to reach the world with our story and trusting that millions of people
will support this very important fundraising drive.”
“Young
children deserve to live and to have the quality of life we all take for
granted. It has been a life changing
experience thus far and it is only the beginning!”
Watch this space for their progress...
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