"I would like to invite all keen cyclists in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe to join me as I take on this iconic 55-mile cycle ride from Clapham Common in South London to the seaside town of Brighton on 15 September 2019," De Villiers says.

"The money we raise will go towards the University’s UK/EU Bursary Fund which was established to provide financial support for financially disadvantaged students. This Bursary Fund will give academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students the opportunity to pursue academic success at Maties and reach their full potential," he adds.

In March this year, De Villiers and a team of alumni, staff and friends of the University, took part in the Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT) to raise money for the student-led #Move4Food campaign. He also tackled the CTCT in 2018 to commemorate the University's Centenary and raise money for student bursaries, and in September last year he ran the full 42 km Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – also in aid of #Move4Food.

“Would you like to join him in this challenge? We are looking for 15 cyclists to ride in the inaugural Maties Warriors team and raise at least £7 500. This amount will provide one student with a scholarship that fully covers tuition, housing, food and textbooks for one year,” says Darryn Havenga, UK Fundraising Director within SU’s Development and Alumni Relations Division.

“If cycling is not for you, don’t worry; there is another way for you to get involved. Just follow this link to our GivenGain page and make an online donation,” he adds. 

For further information and to sign up, please contact:

Maties in Benelux and France:                   

Alison April                               

alisonapril@sun.ac.za

Maties in the Nordic Regions:                  

Folkers Tulkki-Williams               

folkers.tulkkiwilliams@gmail.com

Maties in the UK and Ireland                      

Darryn Havenga

darrynh@sun.ac.za

Maties elsewhere in the world                  

Darryn Havenga              

darrynh@sun.ac.za