What an amazing group of cyclists we had participating in this year’s Cycle for Smiles to raise funds for Operation Smile.
Collectively, they raised almost R105000 towards free, safe surgery for children born with cleft lip or palate – beating last year’s R80 000 record by an incredible 30%.
Top of the leaderboard was the RCS Team, which alone raised R60 000 – while the top individual fundraiser was Anna Marié de Vos, who raised R17 400. Tokai-based Cyclewize Cycling Club, who last year raised R72 378 in the inaugural Cycle for Smiles, collectively raised R22 495. Congratulations and many, many thanks to all our amazing Cycle for Smiles riders and their generous supporters.
The event kicked off on World Smile Day, Friday 6 October, and ended 45 days later on 19 November, 2023. Part of an annual global series of cycling events across more than 20 countries, Cycle for Smiles challenges teams or individuals to ride a total of 450km in 45 days to raise funds from family and friends for Operation Smile.
Participants are also allowed to devise their own cycling challenge, which can take place indoors or out, in groups or individually, using Strava to track distance covered.
The winning RCS team (pictured below) had this to say: “At RCS we believe that the world should be a better place because we are in it. We are setting out to make an impactful change by creating more smiles. Our world can do with it!”
Sincere thanks to all of you – you certainly are helping to make the world a better place for children and adults born with cleft conditions.
