Taking the path less chosen are Marinda and Ernst, a duo who will be tackling well over 1000 kilometres from Joburg to Blouberg (entirely off-road) to raise funds for a young girls’ safe haven in need:
South Africa (21 March, 2024)—We at Good Things Guy seldomly run low on awe, especially the kind of awe sparked by the lengths people will go to just to play their part in uplifting the South Africans who most need it. In an incredible effort to help a young girls’ safe haven, a cycling duo are getting ready to pump the pedals all the way from Joburg to Blouberg!
The striking 1000 mile distance (over 1600 kilometres) will see Marinda Pretorius (49) and Ernest Stipp (57) hit the open road in a way they never have before.
The off-road, extreme cycling enthusiasts have decided to take the path less chosen and will be covering the entire distance off-road. This, in an effort to raise essential funds for young girls’ safe haven Guild Cottage in Johannesburg.
Marinda from Pretoria and Capetonian Ernest both have experience as endurance cyclists, with experience in triathlons and cycling events that will no doubt play a big role in their ride.
The team will take off from Joburg on 22 March on their fully unsupported adventure; aiming ambitiously to cover around 250km of distance every day. If all goes according to plan, they’ll arrive in Blouberg on 2 April with an epic story to tell and hopefully, circumstance-shifting funds to share with Guild Cottage. In fact, they have already raised over R10 000 to date!
Guild Cottage is a place of refuge for 18 young girls who have been rescued from abusive homes and have faced sexual assault. Funds from Marinda and Ernest’ off-road adventure would directly support the safe haven, with dreams to install a borehole and replace their current transport, a Kombi that is falling apart.
With a water bill reportedly sitting at R90 000 and 18 girls to transport for their day-to-day needs without a safe vehicle, every kilometre counts in the future of these young ladies livelihood.
You can support Marinda and Ernest here, and keep up with the action on social media.
Sources: Website Submission; Delmarie Wijnja
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