Corne Krige Supports The Sunflower Fund by riding The Pick n Pay Argus Cycle Tour
Corne KrigeCorne Krige, perennial supporter of The Sunflower Fund has decided to swop his rugby shorts for cycling shorts and dedicate Sunday 14th March to wearing  a Sunflower  top  and riding in the Pick n Pay Argus Cycling Tour.  Corne has assisted in the biggest fundraising event – Bandana Day – giving support with  radio and magazine adverts.

Funds raised by sponsoring Corne in this Miles4Marrow Campaign will be used to pay for donors to join the  South African Bone Marrow Registry . Ten years ago, there were only just over 1 000 donors available on the Registry.  The Sunflower Fund has successfully grown this registry to 64 500 donors, but our goal of growing this to 100 000, representative of all South African races, would give more people diagnosed with leukaemia  and other life-threatening blood disorders, a second chance to life.

Please support Corne’s challenge, by phoning either Adi or Chris at The Sunflower Fund, on 021 7010661 and ‘Share a little, to Save a life’.  Any contribution will be greatly appreciated,  no matter how big or small.

For more information call our toll-free number 0800 12 10 82.
 
Riding the Argus for The Sunflower Fund
Mark BlandOver the last few years, several incredible people in The Jupiter Drawing Room family have been struck by cancer. They all came through as winners, but their battles were long and exhausting.

Mark Bland decided to take up the challenge of riding The Argus  when  a regular “Ama-Jup-Jup” rider who can’t take part this year offered him his entry.

One of Mark’s own family passed away from cancer and this was his  chance to give something back in their memory, as well as to honour the courage and strength of all survivors and the organisations that give support. 

What started as a small fundraising among his family and friends has developed into something bigger.

To quote Mark    “What’s the big deal about competing in the Argus?  Well, to be honest, nothing really! I’m like most other competitors out there- fit, healthy and active. But that’s no guarantee against the disease – it’s significant that the cycling world champion and testicular cancer survivor, Lance Armstrong, will be riding this year’s race too”.

Mark has chosen The Sunflower Fund as the charity of his choice to benefit from his ride.
The Sunflower Fund (Friends of the South African Bone Marrow Registry) was formed in 1999 in Cape Town. It’s a non-governmental, non-profit organisation that gives the chance of life to all South Africans diagnosed with leukaemia and other life-threatening blood disorders, irrespective of their race and financial circumstances. The funds they raise help maintain a registry of potential bone-marrow donors for transplants to serious blood disorder sufferers.

Please support Mark and  get involved. For more information Please contact Chris or Adi on 021 701 0661 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
Warren Boardman-Smith takes on the BMX challenge for the Sunflower Fund
Warren Boardman-SmithI have been riding the Argus since 1982 when I was 10. The event has come along way since then and so have I. Having completed 23 tours on a road bike, 1 on a mountain bike and 1 on a tandem I was keen for the next challenge, so I decided to join my “insane” brother-in-law, Wayne Robertson, and ride this year’s tour (my 26th finish I hope) on a BMX - and what better cause than to raise funds for the Sunflower Fund at the same time. 

As a teacher at Reddam House, I have challenged the school to support me in my fundraising efforts and if they help me to meet my targets I will be shaving (or waxing) my legs for the 1st time in my 30 years of cycling!

See you at the finish line!
 
Wayne Robertson cycles the Argus for Sunflower

Wayne RobertsonAfter completing my 1st Argus tour in 1979, I have continued to ride and race it over the years with enthusiasm and determination. After getting bored with riding on two wheels, I decided to complete two tours on a one wheel Unicycle (which is not recommended to anybody who is actually sane)
The unicycle was pure madness, and loads of fun.
Although road cycling always played a major part in my cycling, it is BMX and dirt jumping that I loved the most and decided to be the 1st person to complete the Argus on a 20” BMX freestyle bike in under 4 hours. In 2000 the Argus BMX challenge was a done deal and time to move onto something else.

Sadly in 2001 I had a major BMX crash on a dual slalom course and managed to crush my spine in three places, break 4 ribs, collapse both lungs and was paralyzed in both legs and spent many weeks in ICU on a ventilator. I also managed to lose 55mm in height, which I really could not afford either. Doctors were convinced that because of my condition, I would not walk again.
The time spent in hospital became a life changing experience when I was privileged to meet with many very young chemotherapy patients whose futures did not look nearly as rosy as mine. Days were spent at the CAT scan machine in the oncology dept
Some of these kids were not going to make it.
I could not walk, but after seeing the condition of some of these young cancer patients I felt very lucky to be alive. At least I had a choice in the condition I was in.
At this point I promised myself and all my doctors that I would not only walk and ride again, but I would complete 10 Argus Tours on my BMX just to prove it!
And March 2010 will be my 10th time on the BMX. (Shooting for a sub 4)

World champion BMX racer, Sharlene McGilvray will be joining me to help raise funds for The Sunflower Fund to give a little back to the people who didn’t get the breaks that we did and to make a difference in a few lives.

To make a much needed donation please use the following bank account:
Bank Account Name: The Sunflower Fund
Bank: ABSA Bank
Account No.: 4051834719
Branch: Tokai
Branch Code: 632005
Reference: Wayne Robertson CPT

Click here to download Fundraising Application Form 35.84 Kb
 
Sharlene cycles the Argus for The Sunflower Fund

Sharlene cycles the Argus for The Sunflower Fund2010 will be my 12th year racing BMX. I am TOTALLY passionate about BMX and I’m getting involved in the Development of the sport. My aim is to see as many kids on bikes having fun in the sun with a goal and passion to work towards. My birth certificate says I’m 51 this year BUT I’m actually 18 till I die! Currently I am World 2 in the 45+ Ladies Cruiser class, which means I’m the second fastest old bat in the world (in my age group) on a BMX. This year the BMX World Champs will be held in Pietermaritzburg from the 29 July – 1 August and I plan to cross the line first. In South Africa I race men and am currently SA 2 in the 45+ Cruiser class.

I’m a mother of two, Sekeeta (19) who is currently Au Pairing in New York and Saxon (17) who’s at Weston Agricultural College in Mooi River. I love life, people and LOVE a challenge and do whatever I choose with great passion.

I work for Shuter & Shooter Publishers in Pietermaritzburg and have written a book called BMX – Xtreme Rush which Shuters published. For every book sold, R5 goes back into the Development of BMX. Wayne Robinson inspired me to ride the Argus with him, so the two of us (plus anyone else willing to join in) will ride our BMX bikes to raise money for The Sunflower Fund. I’m so excited about this and plan to raise LOADS for them.

To make a much needed donation please use the following bank account:
Bank Account Name: The Sunflower Fund
Bank: ABSA Bank
Account No.: 4051834719
Branch: Tokai
Branch Code: 632005
Reference: Sharlene McGilvray CPT

Are you a fan of BMX Xtreme Rush? Click here to visit the fan page on Facebook