Kraaifontein resident Michael Wynne is raising awareness about cancer through his organisation, Walk a Ride Cancer Foundation.
The foundation was officially registered as a non-profit organisation with the help of the Cape Crews Movement Car Crew (CCMCC) on Friday March 26, and seeks to offer aid to cancer patients as well as tackle the scourge of drug abuse plaguing youth in the community.
Mr Wynne, 56, says his own battle with prostate cancer inspired him to raise money for cancer patients.
Since 2019, he has hitch-hiked some 5000km for this cause. So far, he says, he has done seven campaigns in which he has walked eight hours a day with only bottled water and fruit to keep his energy up.
“Some of places had lots of locusts and the sun was very hot,” he says.
And he’s not always assured of raising any money. “Unfortunately for the seventh campaign that I did, in Groblershoop, there was no funds.”
According to Melissa Zaayman, information officer at CANSA, they contacted Mr Wynne in 2019 regarding his campaign but were unable to offer him the necessary support he needed.
“Unfortunately, due to the nature of his initiative, CANSA has not been able to be involved or promote it. We do however wish him well in his endeavour and hope that he reaches his goals.”
But there are also moments, he says, that have made it seem all worthwhile. “A moment that stands out for me is when I was able to give a present to a little girl from Kimberley who had leukaemia. It was a bag full of toys and my wife gave her tights and a face mask with angel wing embroideries.”
The girl’s mother, Sylvia Green, describes Mr Wynne as a generous and kind man and appreciates the moral support that he brought to her family during his visit.
“He’s not doing this for himself and he really went out of his way to make things more comfortable for all of us. It can feel very lonely sometimes when the hospitals don’t understand what we as parents go through when our child is sick.”
According to Mr Wynne’s most frequent campaign collaborator, Vinny Courtiers, CCMCC chairman, their year-long bond was solidified due to the fact that they both lost loved ones to cancer.
“We’ve hosted various cancer awareness campaigns together through car shows, breakfast runs, night runs and we’ ve held events in Mitchells Plain and Mannenberg.”
For his next venture, Mr Wynne plans to speak about the importance of early detection in fighting prostate cancer and address various social issues, including gender-based violence.
“My foundation will also look at helping people in palliative care, and I will try to visit and offer support to the people who are lying on beds or are wheelchair-bound. l also hope to address the youth and the issue of unemployment.”
There are also plans to start a soup kitchen and hold a car-show fund-raiser.
Contact Mr Wynne at 076 549 6237 or keffwynn02@gmail.com for more information.