Qhubeka has a group of wonderful supporters who are celebrating their 50th birthdays and choosing to use their milestone celebration to fundraise for us. Thank you to each of them – we appreciate your generosity and wish you every good thing as you celebrate half a century.
MARK FARMERY
“I’m a Yorkshireman living in “exile” in Sweden, just south of Stockholm, having met my Swedish wife, Åsa, whilst studying in Gothenburg around 20 years ago,” says Mark. “We’re proud parents of two teenagers, William and Ebba, and take care, in a very one-way relationship, of Findus the cat. I work as a business developer in a biotech company and in my spare time I’m an avid cyclist, a struggling gardener and active in our local church and other community outreach.”
Mark spent time in Johannesburg as a child during South Africa’s apartheid years and says the experience opened his eyes and instilled in him a life-long love of South Africa. “I came across Qhubeka whilst supporting the MTN-Qhubeka and then Dimension Data pro cycling teams and especially following Songezo Jim and Daniel Teklehaimenot,” says Mark. “I am passionate about Qhubeka’s mission and, on the occasion of reaching 50 and celebrating my birthday, I want to try to give something back, in a small way, to help communities and people in South Africa.”
Mark is aiming to raise 1 000 GBP by the end of 2019. He has already raised funds for more than one bicycle. To support his efforts, visit his fundraising page.
SCOTT GIBSON
Scott is no stranger to the Qhubeka community! “I turned 50 this year and decided to throw a party,” he says. “Instead of gifts, I asked my mates to consider making a donation to Qhubeka and there was an overwhelming response. Everyone loved the idea. I guess it made their decision-making process easier as well.”
Scott raised a staggering R40 107, which funded more than 11 Qhubeka bicycles.
SEAN ROSE
Friends of Sean Rose from all over the world secretly donated very generously toward Qhubeka Charity in honour of his 50th birthday. Together, they raised funds for more than eight bicycles. Thank you to Evan Hoff, Alan Noik, Tal Harpaz, Martin Sacks, Jade Hamburger and Anthony Rosenthal for helping us change more lives with bicycles.
JAN TUKKER
Jan Tukker, an avid Cape Town based cyclist and Qhubeka supporter, pledged his 50th birthday gifts to the Qhubeka cause. This is what he had to say:
“I was introduced to Qhubeka by supporting and following our very own African pro cycling team at the Tour de France a couple of years ago,” says Jan. “Doug Ryder, Team Principal at Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, had come to SACS to give a talk on Dimension Data and the team, and he spoke so passionately about the Qhubeka initiative and the team that many years later, pledging my 50th birthday gifts to Qhubeka seemed the least I could do. Many of my friends are cyclists and it’s easy to take for granted the simple things in life, like just getting to school far away by foot.”
He adds that he hopes his donation helps schoolchildren to get to school more easily. He and his generous friends raised R10 350 – enough for three Qhubeka bicycles.