Where does the money go?
The PPA office is at present evaluating new project funding applications received for the new funding year commencing in July 2012.”We have received over 55 applications for project funding for 2012/2013,” said PPA General Manager, Karin Pohl. “These include some really exciting applications around mountain biking, BMX and commuting.”
The successful projects that will receive funding in 2012-2013 will be announced in May.
“We are in the fortunate position that the Pedal Power Association and the Rotary Club of Claremont are the beneficiaries of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, who organises, amongst others, the annual Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. The PPA uses any profits received in this way to run the Association, and, in 2011-2012, will plough over R1,85 million into cycling projects,” explained PPA Chairman, Steve Hayward.
Below is a brief overview of some of the projects that PPA has funded this past financial year.
The biggest project by far has been the PPA safe cycling campaign, aimed at making motorists aware of a safe passing distance of at least 1.5m when passing cyclists. The campaign, which cost nearly R500 000, ran from February to March 2012, specifically aiming to make motorists aware of larger numbers of cyclists on the road in the pre-Cycle Tour training period. The campaign ties in with proposed new legislation in this regard.
Other projects funded by PPA include:
Alrode BMX track: The Alrode BMX track is the premier BMX facility in Gauteng and hosted part of the National BMX Championships. PPA funded the upgrading and maintenance of this prestigious track.
PPA funded the Anna Foundation with bicycles and helmets
Anna Foundation: The Anna Foundation is situated in Stellenbosch and was specifically created to provide support to surrounding farm schools and in assisting to create a stimulating environment for these children after school. PPA sponsored bicycles and helmets used as part of the Foundation’s skills-building initiatives.
The Chaeli Campaign: The Chaeli Campaign is an organization which aims to mobilise the minds and bodies of children with disabilities and to normalise society through advocacy and educational programs and events. PPA sponsored the campaign with customized hand cycles.
Child Welfare SA: The core aim of Child Welfare SA is child protection – They are driven by the belief that every human being deserves a childhood free from abuse and neglect. PPA donated bicycles and helmets for the caregivers to use to get to and from their meetings, as well as bicycles to be used by children in various programmes.
Elgin Early Learning Foundation: The Elgin Early Learning Foundation focuses on rural community development within the Western Cape. Their model aims to ensure sustainable development through value-driven learning in programs that learners can utilize after their training has been completed. PPA provided funds for many bicycles and helmets for both learners and educators to allow them to commute to and from schools.
With bicycles funded by PPA, kids now do not have to walk for hours anymore to get to school
Goedgedacht Trust: The Goedgedacht Trust is an Educational & Charitable Trust, working on poverty issues of farm workers in the Swartland area. The Path out of Poverty Program or POP is a holistic and integrated (cradle to the grave) development program which helps farm workers and their families escape from the continuous cycles of poverty which have trapped them for so many generations. PPA sponsored the trust R50 000 for new bicycles and helmets for their learners.
Institute for the Blind: The Institute for the Blind is situated in Worcester. The aim of the institute is to empower persons who are blind, partially blind or deaf-blind, through education, training and development. PPA donated 7 tandems to the institute for the Blind to further expand their opportunities by giving persons with sight disabilities an opportunity to cycle together with their tandem partners.
JAG Foundation: Jag Foundation is managing a project in the Bonteheuwel community. PPA has sponsored funds for the creation and maintenance of a BMX track. The new BMX track has recently been officially opened and the ecstatic Jag cyclists had their very first ride on their new and improved track.
MTB Adventures: PPA has funded the creation and maintenance of new MTB trails. The Thandi and Paul Cluver trails have been completed with the official launch having taken place over the past weekend. The trails are open to the public, with PPA members paying half-price permit fees. Negotiations are underway to link these trails with the Korteshoven and Houw Hoek Trails so that Grabouw/Elgin can be linked to Botriver as part of the regional MTB strategy, the Caper Country Meander.
Oasis Skills: The Oasis skills development program in Upington has provided life skills training and schooling for kids with multiple disabilities. PPA assisted the development program by donating specialised tricycles and helmets to the centre.
One of the lovely thank-you letters received from one of the kids at the Oasis centre
Octogon/Engen Safe Cycling: PPA has contributed to the Engen Safe Cycling programmes offered to various schools in and around the Boland. Mr Wayne Kirby heads up these courses during the school holidays with the aim to educate learners on safe cycling. PPA funded the various courses offered in October 2011.
Sanparks: PPA funded a new security patrol dog to assist with safety in the Table Mountain National Park.
Purdy, funded by PPA, is helping to keep cyclists and hikers safe in the Table Mountain National Park.
Tokai MTB trails: PPA funded the creation and maintenance of the Lower Tokai Cycle Trail. The trail offers a safe and scenic MTB ride within the Tokai Forest.
Thandi BMX track: PPA funded the creation of the Thandi BMX track which officially opened on 15 April and allows for the surrounding Botrivier community to experience cycling in a safe environment.
PPA also provided funding for the Western Province Cycling Association (WPCA) for the Western Province Road and Time Trial Championships as well as funded the Western Province Track Championships held in 2011. PPA also assisted the WP Schools Association to send kids to the CSA Youth Cycling Festival in Oudtshoorn.
In addition, the Pedal Power Association specifically supported the following development cycling initiatives in various ways:
Cedar High School Cycling Club (Mitchells Plain),
Cape Town Giants Cycling Club (Athlone),
Freewheelers Cycling Club (Steenberg),
Fairmount (Grassy Park),
Hout Bay Cycling Club (Hout Bay),
Heinz Park (Heinz Park),
Kinetic Cycling Club (Bishop Lavis),
Muhammedeyah School Cycling Club (Wynberg/Ottery/Wetton,
Rhadsport (Paarl),
Southern Cape Cycling Club (Oudtshoorn),
Southern Most Foudation ( Bredasdorp),
Steenberg High School Cycling Club (Steenberg),
Suburbs Cycling Club (southern suburbs),
Pinelands North Primary (Pinelands)
Genesis BMX (Strandfontein),
Velokhaya (Khayelitsha) and
YEP Clan (Khayelitsha)
