On 1 June this year, popular singer and songwriter Elvis Blue set out on the adventure of a lifetime, with the aim of grabbing your attention!

From 1 June, Elvis will ride his bicycle from George to Nelspruit, where he will be performing at the Innibos Arts Festival at the end of June- a distance of 1500 km – and why?

Here is what Elvis has to say:

“Why on earth would I ride a bicycle from George to Nelspruit? I do this to get your attention! Just for a moment! And now that I have your attention, I can maybe get you to help me do something meaningful in the lives of less fortunate kids who could use our help! I don’t know about you, but I refuse to live in a world where children with empty stomachs have to go to school and try to learn something. I refuse just to sit around knowing that there are children who don’t have the pencils, pens, books, or even shoes to go to school with. That there are prodigies, sportsmen, and music maestros who will never have the opportunity to rise above their circumstances. That’s what I want us to address together! There is so much noise and need and hopelessness around us, that sometimes we become numb to it. And my heart also hurts when parents cannot take care of their children, or when a child’s circumstances just seem impossible. Even if I can only do for a few children what I wish I could do for thousands, even if I have to ride my bicycle clear across the country, I think it’s still worth it!”

Hunger affects around 9.6 million children in South Africa every day. Food insecurity is linked to a wide range of consequences, including social and behavioral problems, and is linked to health conditions such as stunted growth, stunting, poor concentration, and low immunity. South Africa also has one of the most unequal education systems in the world, suffering from poor or absent infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and chronic underachievement that puts the future of our children and therefore our country in jeopardy. Many social surveys also show that a shortage of stationery and uniforms as well as school fees has an extremely detrimental effect on school participation and causes a higher and higher rate of children between 7 and 18 not finishing school at all. Elvis, together with Innibos, South Africa’s most popular festival, wants to address these issues with the “Elvis Blue ry vir Skoolgeld” tour. Atterbury Trust is one of South Africa’s most respected charitable trusts that has been involved in education, nutrition, and community upliftment projects in particular for over 26 years. In partnership with the Atterbury Trust, Elvis will seek to raise funds and address other needs – to initially support two charities, one based in George and the other in Nelspruit. Both Life Community Services in George and the Daaintjie Orphan Project in Nelspruit directly address the physical and educational needs of disadvantaged children.

Elvis’ route from George to Nelspruit runs as follows:

DAY 1 – JUNE 1

George – Uniondale – 111.4km

DAY 2

Uniondale – Surface – 103.5km

DAY 3

Surface – Graaff-Reinet – 129.4km

DAY 4

Graaff Reinett – Middelburg – 140km

DAY 5

Middelburg – Venterstad – 133.4km

DAY 6

Venterstad – Smithfield – 112.3km

DAY 7

Smithfield – Hobhouse – 104.5km

DAY 8

Hobhouse – Ficksburg – 124.9km

DAY 9

Ficksburg – Bethlehem – 94.9km

DAY 10

Bethlehem – Peace – 149.9km

DAY 11

Vrede – Morgenzon – 103.2km

DAY 12

Morgenzon – Badplaas – 138.7km

DAY 13 (14 June)

Badplaas – Nelspruit – 99.4km

Elvis will be arriving in Nelspruit on Friday the 14^th of June and should arrive at Suikerbossie Tea Garden on the R40 (Barberton Road) at around 13h00.  The plan is to have a festive convoy to escort him into Mbombela to the ultimate finish line at I’langa Mall, where he should arrive at 15:00.

Cyclists who would like to join Elvis in the convoy from Suikerbossie  Tea Garden to I’langa Mall on the final heroes parade must please be there at 13:30.

Companies and individuals are invited to join in the festivities at the piazza at I’langa Mall (the area between Panarottis and Doppio Zero) to welcome Elvis and his team to the finish line. A short press conference will be hosted here with live media broadcasts and some general festivities. Bring posters, banners, mascots, and a small (or big) donation.

How to support Elvis Blue’s Project to make a difference in the lives of children:

Businesses and the general public can get involved through financial donations or donating any school supplies and or items to address the physical needs of the kids. The public can also make a voluntary donation when you buy your Innibos ticket, as well as via Elvis Blue social media platforms and on the Atterbury Trust’s website via the Donation Shop. All financial donations will be collected and managed responsibly via the Atterbury Trust for charitable purposes.

Donating is easy via this link: https://atterburytrust.org/shop/elvis-ry-vir-skoolgeld/

More information: Kona Brown – kona@elvisblue.co.za