ZUURBERG RACE SUPPORT WILL HELP DEVELOP EDUCATION

Students supported by the Sundays River Citrus Company Foundation Trust high-five a participant in a previous edition of the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek. Photo: Great Zuurberg Trek

The PwC Great Zuurberg Trek mountain bike race have once again nominated the Sundays River Citrus Company Foundation Trust as one of their beneficiaries for this year’s event.

The partnership would go a long way in helping develop education in the Sundays River Valley as well as raise awareness about the area, said Det Bakker, liaison officer for the SRCC Foundation Trust.

He explained that the foundation, founded to help those in the area, acted as the social development leg of the Sundays River Citrus Company.

“We have always supported initiatives in education, health and environment, but as of recently we are starting to focus more on education.

“Our goals are to help students who have the ability, but not necessarily the financial means, to complete their studies.

Bakker said proceeds from the event would go towards a number of education based projects.

“The funds will help us finance bursaries which we can then offer to students from the valley. We want to give them opportunities they would otherwise never have had.

“The other initiative we hope to grow is the transport system for pupils. We are trying to get a school bus system off the ground,” he said.

“It is through the help and generosity of organisations that we will hopefully be able to make all of this a success.”

Kirkwood High School, Sundays River Primary School and Hermitage House are a few of the schools supported by the foundation, with students and teachers, along with local residents, offering support at the event.

“Students often help with aspects such as the waterpoints, but our involvement in the race is not limited to enhancing the riders’ experience,” said Bakker.

“The race passes through our beautiful valley and it is a way to provide insight to people visiting from across the country about what is happening in our area.”

Race founder Trevor Hayter said the partnership with the SRCC Trust Foundation was established in 2015.

“The beneficiaries (along with Unity in Africa Foundation) will receive 30 per cent of the net benefit of the race as well as direct exposure to corporates, which often result in donations.”

The PwC Great Zuurberg Trek will take place from May 26 to 28.

Go to www.greatzuurbergtrek.co.za for more info.