In these challenging times, more so than ever, there is a need for charitable efforts. For mountain bikers who missed out on a 2021 Absa Cape Epic entry, the race’s official charities create an opportunity to not only take part in The Race That Measures All, but to do so while raising funds for a great cause. From the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation to the Cape Leopard Trust the event’s charities work to affect real world improvements in the lives of the people the race passes and the environments it passes through.
For the 2021 edition, would-be teams can still purchase entries from Qhubeka, Laureus, the Anna Foundation and the Cape Leopard Trust.
Of the charities with entries available, Qhubeka has the most well-established ties to cycling. The charity focuses on moving people forward by providing sturdy bicycles, which allow people to travel the often-long distances to schools, jobs and clinics more efficiently. For the 2021 Absa Cape Epic, Qhubeka have 1 entry remaining.
One of the world’s most recognisable charities the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation aims to use sport as a tool for social change. The local arm of the global charity focuses their attentions on community projects that work to educate children, protect the vulnerable from illness and even bring people from divided communities together in friendship. Laureus have 2 entries available for riders wishing to take part in the 2021 Absa Cape Epic.
The Anna Foundation is arguably the most locally active charity, when it comes to rural communities the Absa Cape Epic passes through. While the others focus on broader South African needs, the Anna Foundation works predominantly in rural schools and on farms in the Western Cape. The foundation implements a 3Rs programme, namely Reading, Running and Right-ing. To take part in the running club children need to read two books, from the foundation’s library-in-a-box system, per week; while the Right-ing programme teaches life skills, self-esteem and self-worth. For the 2021 Absa Cape Epic, the Anna Foundation has 1 entry still available.
In a departure from the humanitarian focus of the other 5 charities the Cape Leopard Trust works to mitigate the affects of man on the environment. In particular they fund research on the illusive cape leopard, but in general the charity works with all of the Western Cape’s endangered predators. Many of the mountains that the Absa Cape Epic traverse are home to leopards, caracal and genets. Due to their nocturnal natures it is unlikely that any riders will be fortunate enough to see these beautiful predators during the race. The Cape Leopard Trust has a single Absa Cape Epic entry for sale and by riding for the charity you will be helping to fund the search for solutions to human-wildlife conflict and environmental education programmes. They have 1 entry available.
To find out more about the 2021 Absa Cape Epic please visit www.cape-epic.com. Should you wish to take up a charity entry please click liaise directly with the charity that you wish to support. While to find out more about the race’s official charities and how you can help in their fundraising efforts, beyond riding the race in their colours, visit www.cape-epic.com/involve/sponsors--partners/charities.
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