Four Liqui-Fruit teams of two riders each will take part in the 2014 Absa Cape Epic of which Liqui-Fruit is the official fruit juice sponsor. The eight cyclists will take on this challenging 800km race in order to raise R500 000 for two victims of dog attacks.
The collaboration between Liqui-Fruit and the Cipla Miles for Smiles Foundation hopes to inspire and challenge more individuals to go out and make a difference in the lives of those around them. The Cipla Miles for Smiles Foundation provides free corrective surgery to those born with cleft lips and cleft palates, and any other correctable facial deformity.
David Grier, well-known extreme adventurer and founder of the foundation explains. “Through my various fund-raising racing adventures, I was constantly in awe of the beauty surrounding me, the beauty of the planet and its magnificence, but constantly in the back of my mind was the reminder of the paradox, how can this beauty of our planet also be the home of such pain and suffering experienced by our children?”
Ten years ago, Angus Makubela was attacked by a Bullterrier, which led to the right hand side of his face and ear being badly damaged. He has undergone 29 operations and hopefully only has another three more operations to go. Ulrich van Pletzen was attacked by a dog in Struisbaai on 31 December 2009 at the age of four. He has already undergone several operations but will require a further 30 more over the next few years. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to rebuild his jaw, nose, lip and the implantation of teeth.
