EMIHLE MBANGATHA
After nearly two weeks on the road, cyclists Gus Dreyer and Mac Richardson have returned from their second annual charity ride — a gruelling 1,265km journey from Buffalo City to Cape Town — to raise funds for the McClelland Adult Centre for the Intellectually Impaired.
Although they have not yet reached their R150,000 target, the duo remains determined to push forward in their mission to install a solar power system at McClelland, which faces rising electricity costs of about R130,000 per month.
This year, the pair have so far raised R100 000. The McClelland Cycle Tour, also known as the McClelland 1000, was launched in 2024 as a fundraising initiative. This year, the pair departed from East London on February 22, accompanied by members of the Rotary Club of Bonza Bay, who cycled alongside them to Stutterheim in support.
Their route took them through Komani, Nxuba (Cradock), Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen, Willowmore, Calitzdorp, Barrydale, Robertson and Franschhoek, reaching Gordon’s Bay on March 6.
The duo, both avid cyclists and Rotarians, first came up with the idea over a cup of coffee in Cape Town.
“I was looking for a way to raise funds for McClelland, and Mac had done extreme charity rides before, so we thought this would be a good way to do something different,” Dreyer, who is also the operations manager of the centre, said.
McClelland, a nonprofit residential facility in Amalinda, provides a protected environment for 83 adults with intellectual impairments. The centre offers therapeutic and educational activities, including singing, baking, carpentry, reading and sports, to help residents develop skills.
With only 35% of its funding covered by government subsidies, McClelland relies heavily on fundraising efforts. “Even if we don’t reach the full R1.5m for the solar system, every cent helps,” Dreyer said. “If we can install the system, we could cut our electricity costs in half, if not more.”
The 2024 ride raised R100,000, which went toward repainting the facility. “We’re still busy with this because we’re doing the labour ourselves, and our maintenance team has done a fantastic job transforming the place,” Dreyer said.
Both men put in months of training for the ride.
Richardson, a seasoned cyclist, described the journey as both physically and mentally demanding. “We were cycling 100km a day in the sun, climbing some monster hills — but knowing it was for such an important cause kept us going.”
Despite facing mechanical issues and challenging road conditions, the duo remains committed to their mission. “The feeling of finishing and saying, ‘Wow, we actually did this,’ is incredible,” Dreyer said. “But it’s all for our residents. That makes every kilometre worth it.”
Donations for the McClelland Cycle Tour are still open, and every contribution brings the centre closer to its goal.
For more information on how to donate, visit the McClelland Adult Centre or contact the Rotary Club of Bonza Bay on Facebook.
