There were few dry eyes when Raymond Calder finally climbed onto his new motorcycle, a moment many readers had been waiting for since Go! first shared his story.
Calder, 72, one of East London’s favourite pool cleaners, was officially handed a motorcycle valued at R25k on Tuesday, marking a powerful turnaround after months of hardship.
Calder’s life had been thrown off course when he lost his only means of transport — a devastating blow to both his livelihood and his health.
Known affectionately as one of the city’s most reliable pool cleaners, he became a familiar sight walking long distances across East London, criss-crossing suburbs with heavy equipment in tow, determined not to abandon the loyal clients who depend on him.
“I was very impressed when I first saw it. It’s beautiful,” Calder said softly, visibly moved during the handover at Port Rex High School. “I feel very overwhelmed and blessed.”
His quiet perseverance struck a chord with Go! readers, sparking an outpouring of support that quickly turned into a fundraising effort to put him back on the road.
What followed was a collective act of kindness.
For months, Calder walked between areas such as Vincent and Beacon Bay, often under the strain of his age and the physical demands of the job.
Yet he refused to give up. “My customers are really important to me. That is why I kept walking,” he said.
The donations contributed by members of the public, motorcycle enthusiasts and coordinated through Rescue Ranger, turned a difficult chapter into something deeply meaningful.
“For me, this changes everything,” Calder said. I’ll be able to ride to my clients, fast and effective.”
Asked what the toughest part of the past months had been, he answered without hesitation: “Walking long distances. It was a big wake-up call.”
Still, he never imagined the scale of support that would follow.
“No, I wasn’t expecting this. I appreciate every single person who took their time to help me.
“The community has impressed me so much with love and kindness.”
Eugene Knoetze, of Rescue Ranger, who played a key role in making the project possible, said the handover was deeply humbling.
“It’s absolutely meaningful to help an old man who is trying his best to make a living and not just rely on handouts.
“We’ve helped Ray for many years, but we could never assist him at this level before. The support has been overwhelming.”
Knoetze said the motorcycle and sidecar required careful, hands-on preparation.
“It was brand new. We unboxed it, assembled it, removed the front suspension and fitted our custom-made leading suspension.
“Our sister company Fabkomp manufactured the steelwork and frame, and everything was completed at the Rescue Ranger workshop.”
The bike was then painted, tested, and fitted with a lighting system.
“It’s quite an involved process, but we have a very competent team,” Knoetze said.
Importantly, any remaining funds raised will be used for ongoing servicing and maintenance, ensuring Calder can continue working without additional financial strain.
Knoetze said should future repairs be needed, these will be carried out at Port Rex Technical School, extending the spirit of community support well beyond the handover.
“With this project, we’ve got Ray mobile and back on his feet. His client base can grow, and it’s going to help him a lot going forward.
“This is what we mean by delivering hope, one ride at a time.”
Fundraising initiator and Port Rex teacher Alton Beckmann, who helped initiate the fundraising drive, said the initiative showed “that when a seed is planted, something good can grow”.
“Raymond isn’t just a 72-year-old man — he’s an active gentleman who still wants to earn his living.”
He said it highlighted the power of collective compassion.
“If you are able to help people around you, please do so. Even R50 can help the bigger picture and someone who is really in need.”
As Calder prepares to ride again, the moment is about more than transport. It is about dignity, respect and community camaraderie.
For a man who never stopped showing up, the road has finally met him halfway — thanks to Go! readers who chose to care.
