A bumpy ride for a good cause
Thabazimbi - Pediatric Care Africa (PCA) launched its second epic “On Trac–Tor” 2,500 km tractor and trailer charity ride on Sunday 2 July.
CEO and founder of Pediatric Care Africa (PCA), Dr Andre Hattingh made a promise to help sick, hungry, and defenceless children years ago, and he is resolute to keep that promise by raising R250,000 with the ‘On Trac-Tor’ charity ride. As part of the charity ride’s route, Dr Hattingh, arrived in Thabazimbi on Tuesday 4 July 2023 where he received a warm welcome.
During the 14-day journey, totalling 2,500 km, Dr Hattingh will be riding a Mahindra 86-110 tractor sponsored by Mahindra South Africa and facilitated by Mahindra Nelspruit.
The trip by tractor is not for the faint hearted and requires a tremendous amount of physical and mental strength. Travelling at an average speed of 26 km per hour in an extremely bumpy and tiring environment, it is a truly taxing and exhausting endeavour!
The 2,500km charity ride focuses on 3 very important issues:
- To create awareness and raise funds for children in South Africa who require medical treatment and surgeries.
- To raise awareness of the thousands of children who are abused, assaulted, and murdered each year.
- To draw international attention to farm murders, as farm murders in South Africa are becoming increasingly brutal and affects all of us. Therefore, the ride also supports pastor TJ Marais and the 911 riders on their quest to reduce farm murders in SA.
“During my 61 years I’ve done many charity rides and initiatives, and I must say that I experienced many warm welcomes, but never one as hearty as the welcome I received in Thabazimbi,” said Dr Hattingh in an interview with Platinum Bushvelder on Tuesday 4 July.
“Thus far the charity ride has been a success and we have received a lot of support; if this initiative will enable us to pay for even one child’s operation, or save one farmer’s life, then I will happily do this every week!”
“Thabazimbi Fire and Rescue (TFR) supports Dr Hattingh’s initiative because we know that it’s no easy task to help those in need with limited resources. TFR wishes safe travels for the remainder of Dr Hattingh’s journey, I believe that he will reach his target,” said TFR director Pierre Loots.
With approximately 500 km completed, and 2000 km to go, you can still get involved by:
- Sponsoring Dr Andre Hattingh per kilometre.
- Making a once-off or a monthly donation to PCA.
- Donating baby milk (all types) as many mothers are not able to breastfeed their children due to medical reasons.
- Donating diesel for the ‘On Trac-Tor’ charity ride.
- Becoming a volunteer at PCA.
- Hospitals and doctors can also assist with pro bono treatment or surgery for children, as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and initiatives.
- Farmer unions and organisations along the charity ride’s route are welcome to support PCA’s efforts.
The route:
- 2nd July 2023: White River/Nelspruit to Burgersfort via Sabie and Lydenburg
- 3rd July 2023: Burgersfort to Mokopane (Potgietersrus)
- 4th July 2023: Potgietersrus (Mokopane) to Thabazimbi (tractor check)
- 5th July 2023: Thabazimbi to Koster
- 6th July 2023: Koster to Wolmaransstad
- 7th July 2023: Wolmaransstad to Hartswater
- 8th July 2023: Hartswater (Stay over x 2 nights and Tractor check)
- 9th July 2023: Hartswater to Winburg
- 10th July 2023: Winburg to Clarens
- 11th July 2023: Clarens to Colenso
- 12th July 2023: Colenso to Vryheid via Dundee
- 13th July 2023: Vryheid to Piet Retief
- 14th July 2023: Piet Retief to Badplaas
- 15th July 2023: Badplaas to White River via R33 & R38
To get involved, please visit www.pediatriccareafrica.org for full information or please phone Pediatric Care Africa office secretary Surika van der Merwe on 076 229 5663.
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