The J9 cycle team are honouring Joost van der Westhuizen by raising funds for the J9 foundation while cycling the Winelands Encounter.
The Winelands Encounter is a race through the Western Cape towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Wellington. The race is taking place on the 21st of April 2017. The J9 cycle team is doing the race in honour of Joost to raise money for the J9 foundation which Joost launched shortly after his MND (Motor Neurone Disease) diagnosis.
The team will consist of Cape Town lawyer Dirk Kotze and Namgear cycling equipment company boss Marius Bronkhorst, both will represent the foundation at the race, with raising awareness of MND as their main priority.
“Most people, of course, know of Joost and when they see our kit with the J9 Foundation logo there is always a lot of talk about what we are trying to do,”
“People usually ask us if we are riding for the foundation and if they do not know much about it, it provides us with a chance to inform them what it is all about.” – Dirk Kotze
The team hopes to raise awareness about MND and continue the momentum behind the J9 foundation which supports individuals with MND and helps towards MND research.
“The foundation have 29 beneficiaries and care for over 40 families who are affected by MND,” – Dirk Kotze
Dirk Kotze wanted to use his love of sport to support a cause or organisation. He started looking for an organisation in 2014 after gaining access to the Cape Epic.
“We decided we wanted to do something more meaningful and support a foundation or organisation,”
“It was then that I saw an interview with Joost on Carte Blanche and decided to contact his foundation.” said Dirk
The J9 Foundation were enthusiastic about his idea and they formed the J9 cycling team to assist with the work of raising awareness. Since then he has teamed up with Brendan Snyman and Jaco Geldenhuys and they have participated in many three day races together.
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