The Sundays River Citrus Company Foundation Trust, one of the beneficiaries for this year’s PwC Great Zuurberg Trek, plan to allocate the proceeds received to a number of education based projects.
Det Bakker, liason officer for the SRCC Foundation Trust, said that the partnership was a fruitful one and would go a long way in helping develop education in the Sundays River Valley as well as raise awareness about the area.
He explained that the foundation served as the social development leg of the Sundays River Citrus Company.
Bakker said proceeds from the event would go towards a number of education based projects.
Students supported by the Sundays River Citrus Company Foundation Trust high-five a participant in a previous edition of the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek. Photo: Great Zuurberg Trek
“The funds will help us finance bursaries which we can then offer to students from the valley. We want to give them opportunities they would otherwise never have had.
“The other initiative we hope to grow is the transport system for pupils. We are trying to get a school bus system off the ground,” he said.
“It is through the help and generosity of organisations that we will hopefully be able to make all of this a success.”
The foundation had always supported initiatives in education, health and environment, but Bakker explained that as of recently they were starting to focus more on education.
“Our goals are to help students who have the ability, but not necessarily the financial means, to complete their studies.
Race founder Trevor Hayter said the partnership with the SRCC Trust Foundation was established in 2015 in an effort to expand their outreach.
“The beneficiaries (along with Unity in Africa Foundation) will receive 30 per cent of the net benefit of the race as well as direct exposure to corporates, which often result in donations.”
Kirkwood High School, Sundays River Primary School and Hermitage House are a few of the schools supported by the foundation, with students and teachers, along with local residents, offering support at the event.
“Students often help with aspects such as the waterpoints, but our involvement in the race is not limited to enhancing the riders’ experience,” said Bakker.
“The race passes through our beautiful valley and it is a way to provide insight to people visiting from across the country about what is happening in our area.”
