- The Wheel to Heal fundraiser was launched to support families in Gaza and Lebanon, with cyclists from various clubs participating in the cause.
- Organised by the African Muslim Agency and led by Dr. Elias Parker, the initiative aims to raise R2.8 million for humanitarian aid.
- The event invites participants to join from any location and includes a 120 km group ride from Swellendam to Cape Town.
Sports clubs, families, groups and the cycling community are inviting everyone to help raise funds to support families in Gaza and Lebanon as part of the Wheel to Heal’s fundraiser, which was launched on Sunday 6 October.
“Whether you’re cycling, running, walking, hiking, fishing, horse riding or golfing you can join wherever and whenever you can. All funds raised will go through our partner, the African Muslim Agency (AMA), to provide vital humanitarian aid and medical support. This is not a political or Muslim initiative, but a humanitarian initiative,” says Dr Elias Parker, director at the Islamiah Library in Lansdowne.
With this initiative, we are preparing social cyclists and able cyclists. We hope to raise approximately R2,8 million and between 20 and 25 clubs countrywide have joined since the launch. Currently, humanity is bleeding and your contribution, small or large, will and can make a difference in the life of someone in Gaza and Lebanon,” says Parker.
Sadiq Mohamed, captain of one of the two teams of Wheel to Heal that entered, says they started training in October by cycling from Kuils River to Franschhoek to raise public awareness of this initiative.
“We left at 05:30 the morning in misty weather and as the day progressed the weather became warmer and all the stiff and cold cyclists started to thaw as well. In The Quaran it states that if a human being is calling out for help and you are not responding, then you are not Muslim. The same principle applies in the Bible as well, where you are asked to help your neighbour.
“24 cyclists will cycle 120 km per day from Thursday 28 November from Swellendam to Cape Town and we will finish on Sunday 1 December in Lansdowne. En route, we’ll visit little towns and share our experiences on social media. True giving is when you give part of yourself and do not expect to be paid back. All 24 of us will give back with sweat, sore muscles and tears when no one is looking, but it is all for a good cause,” he chuckled.
Nazir Akoon, the spokesperson for Wheel to Heal, reiterated the ways to get involved, namely as a club, as a family, friends or colleagues. As an individual, you can also participate solo and raise funds remotely. Fundraising continues until Sunday 1 December.
For more information contact Elias Parker on 082 493 9331 or Nazir Akoon on 082 468 7688 or visit www.wheeltoheal.co.za or join their WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FrhRgAnaoLQIpY5hAuHiEw
