My 9000km Solo Bike Trip (Ommie Land Vannie Rand) for Andrio (with Leukaemia)

I am planning to travel around inside South Africa on my motorcycle for about a month starting in middle December. The idea is to ride as near as possible to the border and coastline of South Africa in a clockwise direction (from Pretoria, Barberton, Kosibaai, Durban, Wildekus, PE, Cape L’Agulhas, Cape Town, Alexanderbay, Bray(!), Mussina, Hoedspruit, Komatipoort, Barberton and Pretoria, only to mention a few). The estimated distance should be more or less 9 000 km and will include dirt roads and back roads. The decision of the trip was taken on 9 October after a discussion with my family and a lot of arrangements will still have to be made before my departure!

The reason for this ‘crazy’ plan is twofold:

1. I have a great passion for travel and always wanted to do such a trip. I always say that my favourite destination is one where I have never been to before (have you ever been to Obobogarab, Hakskeenpan, Baardskeerdersbos or Grootmis? Me neither. What does it look like there …. ?).
2. I have always wanted to make a contribution towards helping my best friend, Riaan de Lange’s brother’s son, Andrio (11 years old) , but never really knew how. Andrio has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. Funds are needed for the search and testing of possible overseas bone marrow donors since no suitable donor could be found in SA. Needless to say, it is an extremely expensive exercise. It is also important to make people aware of how they can help by becoming a possible bone marrow donor. This will not only benefit Andrio, but many other people who suffer from similar diseases. Furthermore, it is important to clarify the misconception that bone marrow tests and donations involve a “lumbar punch”, which is not the case at all and actually involves minimal discomfort. Read more on the websites www.andriodelange.co.za and www.sunflowerfund.org.za.

VIOLA! It did not take long to merge the above two ideas – a day or two to be precise!

My idea is to have flyers printed which I will hand out and chat to people about where ever I end up. I am also planning to visit institutions like local newspapers, clubs etc, to spread the message of Andrio and the bone marrow transplant fund. Further exposure will be through the printing of t-shirts and stickers for my bike containing the relevant information. Since I will travel mostly along the coastal areas, I am hoping for exposure amongst holiday goers. As with many of my trips in the past, I will write a report about the trip upon my return. One of my reports, or at least part of it, was published in the September issue of the DriveOut/WegRy magazine. I hope the “Ommie Rand Vannie Land” (Ride Around the Land) trip report, or parts thereof, will also be published to give further exposure to Andrio’s situation.

If anybody wants to help, they can do so as follows:

BECOME A STEM CELL DONOR
Contact Toll Free: 080012 10 82 or visit http://www.sunflowerfund.org.za

MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION VISIT:
http://www.andriodelange.co.za/how-can-i-help.html

BECOME A BLOOD / PLATELETS DONOR
Contact the SANBS on 0800 11 90 31 or visit www.sanbs.org.za

This will be the first time that I will tackle such a campaign and any ideas and proposals are welcome.

Mr Fritzie I salute you

good luck and all the best on your epic journey.......whish I could come with but alas......it won't be possible

Fritzie, thanks for sharing your plans with us. Riaan and his brother are very blessed to have a caring friend like you. I wish you a safe journey and hope your efforts will bring in the support & funds needed for Andrio Keep us posted

Awesome, the trip and the reason.

May your trip be blessed and we will keep the young lad in our prayers.

Morpheus

Wow, what an adventure ... Post pics as you go along !!

What an awsome idea !!! All the best for your trip. Strongs to the young one !!!!!!!

Read more about Fritzie's trip - (not a solo trip anymore) under UPCOMING TRIPS.

You can help!