To spread the good fortune which mountain bikers enjoy FNB Wines2Whales have extended their charity programme to include 15 official beneficiaries in 2019. Each charity will receive a complimentary standard entry, for any of the three events, as well as an additional reserved entry, for any of the events. Additionally charities will be able to purchase block bookings of entries to the Pinotage event, where a dedicated charity start batch will help create a vibe of #SeriousGEES around the riders taking part for a good cause.

As an added incentive the event will be aiding the charities in their fund raising efforts in the build up to and during the race. Additionally the most successful charity drive will be rewarded with a complimentary entry to one of the 2020 events too.

“We are very excited, as an organisation, to be working with such a wide range of exceptional charities,” Marc Erasmus, Account Manager, for FNB Wines2Whales said. “Some of them we have been working with for years while others are new to us. Both, we are sure, will make great use of the platform provided by the FNB W2W events to raise valuable funds for their charitable efforts. It also feels great to be able to contribute to the remarkable works of these charities.”

“FNB Wines2Whales is so much more than just a mountain bike race and it fills us with pride that we are able to help those less fortunate than us while going about our work on the events” Erasmus concluded.

Among the 15 official charities is the Alta du Toit Aftercare Centre. The centre has a proud 40 year history of helping adults with intellectual disabilities by providing them with nursing care and skills development. Currently there are 160 residential and 50 day-care clients benefiting from the charity’s work group, sports and social activity programmes.

The CHOC COWS will arguably be the most readily recognisable of the official charities on the trails. The COWS will be pedalling their way through the 2019 FNB Wines2Whales in their famous Holstein Friesian cow suits, knowing that they risk heat stroke to raise funds for children with cancer.

There will not be much time to get a good moustache going by the time the Shiraz event wraps up on the 3rd of November but the Men’s Foundation of SA will be in attendance. Their Movember campaign has grown over the years to include not just prostate cancer awareness but also testicular cancer and mental health issues too.

The charitable spirit of FNB Wines2Whales need not stop with the official charities though. Individuals wishing to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts are welcome to do so in the build-up to the events too. To do so they can log on to the races’ Charities and Beneficiaries page on the website: www.wines2whales.com/involve/charities. From there they will be directed on how to set up a GivenGain account.

As a reward, BigBox Containers has allocated a prize for the team who raises the most money for their chosen charity per event: a stay in the BigBox Luxury container for two, complete with real beds, fresh linen and air conditioning! Now that sure beats roughing it in a tent, especially if you’ve enjoyed one too many glasses of the region’s famous wines!

To donate to one of the official charities please visit www.givengain.com.