Absa Cape Epic dials up its charity offering

2016-08-23

The Absa Cape Epic has announced the four charities it will partner from 2017.

The event’s Chief Executive Officer Lynn Naudé announced that the Anna Foundation, Qhubeka, Laureus and the Cape Leopard Trust would be the event’s official charity partners for three years.

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“We have refined our approach and from 2017 and we will work with charity partners that are closely aligned with our core business,” she explained. “There are three areas of focus: first are programmes that use sport or bicycling to uplift communities; second are those linked to Absa Cape Epic host towns; and third is environmental conservation, since our sport requires ongoing interaction with the environment.”

Entries will be reserved for the charities and they can sell or raffle them. Due to the very limited number of entries to the race, these entries are highly sought after.  Charities will also be given a platform at the event itself and on the Absa Cape Epic media channels.

“We’ve worked with these charities before, so we are familiar with their outstanding work and the ethos of each organisation,” said Naudé. “With a streamlined charity programme and commitment for the next three years we’ll be able to dedicate more attention to each organisation and endeavour to make a meaningful difference to the communities that are touched by the race.”

She concluded by saying that teams riding for charities of their own choice was synonymous with the Cape Epic and they had raised over R15,4m since 2011. This would continue as usual.   
 

About the charities

* The Anna Foundation assists disadvantaged schools and communities by providing academic, social and environmental support and equipping children with skills for life long learning.

* The Cape Leopard Trust, an active predator conservation-working group in the Cape, uses research as a tool for conservation and helps to find solutions to human-wildlife conflict. It operates in many of the areas through which the Cape Epic route runs.

* Qhubeka is World Bicycle Relief’s programme in South Africa. World Bicycle Relief is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing education, health and economic opportunities by providing simple, sustainable transportation.

* Laureus is a global sports-based charity that works to improve the lives of young people. The charity combines Laureus Sport for Good, the Laureus World Sports Academy and Ambassadors Programme and the Laureus World Sports Awards to form a unique organisation that uses the inspirational power of sport as a force for good. Since its inception, Laureus Sport for Good has raised over €100 million and supported over 150 projects worldwide.