GEORGE NEWS - A George-based motorcycle adventurer and solo rally rider, George Oliver, will be attempting a mammoth 58 000km expedition on his 2024 Ducati DesertX Rally for more than just adventure.
His purpose is to deliver handwritten letters from children in George to children receiving cancer treatment in hospitals in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Oliver will be riding solo under the name Cross Africa Adventure (CAA). His original plan was to ride from George through Africa to Dakar in Senegal and continue to Morocco and then France in preparation for competing as a privateer in the Motul Xtreme Rider category of the 2027 Africa Eco Race. However, a young girl changed his plans.
"A Facebook friend of mine had told his family about the journey I was planning, and his eight-year-old daughter suggested that I take a letter of hope and encouragement that she would write to a child with cancer in Morocco," said Oliver.
The idea stayed with him, and three months later he decided to abandon the race and give the expedition a greater purpose.
"I will be carrying not just one handwritten letter, but many more from children receiving cancer treatment as well as letters of encouragement from children in George. I'll be delivering them to paediatric oncology wards across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, to give to other young patients," he said.
Oliver will depart from George on Wednesday 2 December.
His route includes Namibia, Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Morocco, where he will hand-deliver letters in Marrakesh. Then on to Spain via ferry and through Europe before continuing to the Middle East, including Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The motorcycle will then be airfreighted to Kenya before he continues through Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana to Cape Town and finally George.
George Oliver. Photo: Supplied
During the expedition, Oliver will deliver and collect letters and document the journey, including border crossings, distances, conditions and logistical challenges.
With more than a decade of operational experience in Africa and the Middle East, Oliver has expertise in navigation, logistics, safety, expedition planning, remote area motorcycling and technical maintenance.
He is riding with a marked motorcycle currently being prepared in Pretoria.
He says letters will be handled privately, with parental or guardian consent and guidance from medical professionals responsible for each child's care. They will be delivered to paediatric oncology wards rather than specific patients. The privacy of the letters will be respected.
Primary schools and parents whose children are interested in participating, can visit the Cross Africa Adventure Facebook page and become a member to obtain more information.
Oliver also hopes to arrange a meeting with British singer Ed Sheeran to hand him letters of hope and explore the possibility of a special performance for the children. “This is at the moment only an aspiration and will depend on the singer’s availability,” said Oliver.
The Ducati. Photo: Supplied
Some of Oliver’s riding gear. Photo: Supplied
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