Wheels roll for rhino orphans

GEARED UP: Wayne Bolton is about to embark on a 6 000km cycle trip to raise funds for orphaned rhinos.Picture: MIKE HOLMES

TACKLING a 6 000km cycle that will take him through 19 national parks over an 80day period is one Port Elizabeth businessman’s way of raising funds to fight the scourge of rhino poaching.

Wayne Bolton, 49, plans to raise R300 000 through the trip that starts next Saturday, to be donated to South African National Parks (SANParks) and Care for Wild Africa, a rhino orphanage near Nelspruit.

Bolton will start the challenge – called the One Land Love It (Olli) expedition – in the Kruger National Park and move on to 18 other South African parks, ending at Addo National Park in February.

The father of one said he wanted to draw the attention of ordinary people to nature preservation.

“It is very easy to leave it to SANParks and donors, but ordinary people in their own homes need to start doing something to preserve our natural heritage.”

He said people could also help in preserving nature by doing little things like saving water and electricity.

Bolton started training for the challenge in January and by September he could cycle 1 000km a month.

“I suppose one can’t really completely prepare for a 6 000km race but you just have to be injury-free and fit. I have also been spending a lot of time at the Human Movement Science centre at NMMU preparing for this, and I am ready.”

A black-tie event held at the Boardwalk this week raised R120 000 that will help buy night-vision glasses and other equipment to assist in the fight against rhino poaching.

People wishing to donate to this cause can visit www.oneland.co.za