Joining hands to provide food for children

GEORGE NEWS - A group of community organisations are joining hands to provide in the food needs of children of Thembalethu, with a food- and fundraising ride planned for Saturday 4 September.

It started with Life Community Services (LCS), whose main aim is to help vulnerable and impoverished children.

Due to Covid-19 many families lost their livelihoods and sadly, in a time when it was most needed, many of LCS's fundraising events could not be held.

This is why Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) stepped in, along with another biker organisation, Proudly Meerkat, and Solidariteit Helpende Hand, to assist with fundraising. In preparation for the 4 September event, the biking community has been collecting much-needed items for the kitchens to feed thousands of children.

However, at the end of June they received an emergency call from LCS, that food donations were needed urgently as many families were starving. So the collaboration of bikers managed to feed around 1 500 children and delivered more than 400kg of vegetables in the next couple of days.

Far from bowing out after giving this help, the bikers will be collecting more much-needed items at the drive on 4 September to donate to LCS.

David May of LCS said the organisation is very grateful to the bikers and called them "a community of bikers coming together to make a difference in a community of children's lives".

Corrie van der Westhuizen of Helpende Hand said the bikers have hearts - especially for children. "We try to make a difference and help to relieve those in need."

Maranda van Dam of Proudly Meerkat said bikers have big hearts. "We care about our community and together we can make a big impact."

Freddie Lombard of CMA said they partnered with their friends at Proudly Meerkat to make a difference in the lives of some children by supporting Life Community Services with this charity run.

"We would like to extend an invitation, or even a challenge to everyone in the area (whether you ride a bike or not) to support this run and make a donation and join us on 4 September."

* You can get involved by dropping your collections at the Engen Garage (near Virgin Active) at 08:00 on 4 September or filling up the topbox of your motorbike, and join CMA on their ride. You can also donate directly to Life Community Services. Contact details can be found at www.lifecommunity.co.za.