The Pedal Project staged the second Dream Bike Raffle draw at the Hanger Bike Co this month, and one lucky Somerset West local rode away with a bespoke Outer Cycles Link e-bike.
Grant Parkes was one of 800 individuals who purchased a total of 1 500 tickets, which helped the community-based mental health support programme, which uses mountain biking as a vehicle for empowering children from historically disadvantaged communities, raise more than R160 000 towards their 2025 operations.
Off the success of the 2022 Dream Bike Raffle, Pedal Project partnered with Outer Cycles, South Industries, Lyne, ArmourRide, Paint by Jared, and the Hanger Bike Co to produce a unique and stunning machine again this year. Boasting a custom design, by Hasie and the Robots, the Outer Cycles Link full suspension e-bike is truly eye-catching.
This, along with the needs of the 120 beneficiaries the Pedal Project supports, inspired individuals to purchase raffle tickets at R150 each.
“I was particularly impressed and moved by the support of Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club, whose members purchased over 300 tickets in just two days,” Pedal Project founder Jaco van der Linde praised. “Their contribution played a vital role in the raffle’s success, showcased the vibrant cycling culture in the region, and highlighted the generosity of mountain bikers in general.
“As an NPO we are entirely reliant on donations from individuals, corporations and other charities. The money we raised through the raffle will go a long way towards the running of the programme in 2025. This entails weekly mental health counselling and the healthy outdoors outlet, of riding mountain bikes, for 120 children from schools in the historically disadvantaged communities of Macassar and Strand.”
The raffle ran from September to November, and the final draw was conducted after a ride on the Helderberg Trails. “We had a ride, lit the fire, made boerewors rolls, had a beer, and talked about bikes,” Van der Linde reflected.
“When Grant Parkes’ name was drawn as the winner, it was wonderful that he was there to receive the dream bike right then and there. It will be great to see Grant on the Somerset West trails, which I ride myself and where we do the majority of our Trail Therapy sessions, on his new dream bike. I hope the bike will be a conversation starter in his riding circles too, and will help spread the word of the Pedal Project.”
- For more information about the Pedal Project and their charitable efforts, visit www.pedalproject.co.za.
