Grant Lottering Takes On 835km and 16 000m Non-Stop For 34 Children With Life Threatening Illnesses

by | Jan 14, 2022 | Bike

Forty-eight hours is the target set by Im’possible Tour founder, Grant Lottering, to complete his Cross Cape Im’possible Dream Tour. Starting Saturday, 15 January, in Plettenberg Bay, Lottering will set off on one of his most demanding Im’possible Tours yet, in aid of 34 children fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Grant Lottering Takes On 835Km And 16 000M Non-Stop For 34 Children With Life Threatening Illnesses
Grant Lottering has faced his own fair share and more of life threatening situations and now rides to help others conquer their own toughest challenges. PC: Max Sullivan

Teaming up with one of the country’s best chefs, David Higgs, the duo announced their epic fundraising adventure in November 2021, made possible by the Western Cape Growth Agency, Mercedes-Benz South Africa and CompCare Medical Scheme. Unfortunately, Higgs’ perpetual commitments to his businesses, combined with the adverse effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, Higgs is not able to ride the upcoming Im’possible Dream Tour with Lottering. “I am still committed to this incredible cause which is very close to my heart,” says Higgs. “I will back Grant in raising awareness and funds to ensure that we can make a difference in the lives of 34 brave children.”

“I am frustrated by the effects this pandemic has had on so many people and businesses, especially the knock-on effects on charitable organisations like The Reach for a Dream Foundation,” explains Lottering. “I believe when one has a personal need, the best you can do is meet the need of someone else. That makes one mindful that there are always others worse off than we are.”

Starting in Plettenberg Bay on Saturday, 15 January, Lottering will tackle the challenging Cross Cape and Karoo Crossing Cape Cycle Routes across the Western Cape, a total distance of 835km and just under 16 000m of vertical gain, most of it on gravel terrain. The Cape Cycle Routes will take Lottering through the coastal Garden Route to the arid Klein Karoo, over the Swartberg Pass and through the Overberg and finishing in the Cape Winelands in Stellenbosch on Monday, 17 January. “Having driven this entire route by car during my recent reconnaissance, I know it is going to be an incredibly difficult challenge to cycle my 8th Im’possible Tour non-stop within 48 hours. It will mean riding day and night, no sleep, no stopovers, no breakfast, lunch or dinner, just one continuous agonising ride,” adds Lottering.

Grant Lottering Takes On 835Km And 16 000M Non-Stop For 34 Children With Life Threatening Illnesses
Grant will be pushing himself to a absolute limits to complete the 835km route in 48 hours without taking any major rest stops. PC : Max Sullivan

Lottering founded the first of his annual Im’Possible Tours in 2014 after suffering a near-fatal accident in Trento, Italy, and was told cycling again would be impossible. He has endured 12 surgeries and overcame cancer while accomplishing what most believe to be impossible for someone with his physical condition. “Many people have had their livelihoods destroyed and are struggling to find a way out. I aim to conquer this attempt, not only for the 34 Reach for a Dream kids but also for everyone who faces massive challenges going into 2022, especially those who have lost hope. I want the story of my 2nd chance at life and the mountains I have faced and overcome, and will face during this Im’possible Dream Tour, to inspire and encourage others not to give up. I want people to dream again, to believe again.”

“We feel blessed to have Grant ride for us again this year. His passion and commitment to fulfil 34 dreams for children fighting the biggest battle of their lives is inspiring. Grant and our children have so much in common regarding values like tenacity, believing in dreams and being hopeful. We wish Grant all the best for his ride, and we will be cheering him on from the sidelines,” comments Julia Sotirianakos, Reach for a Dream CEO.

About Reach For A Dream: “Reach For a Dream has been one of the country’s most recognisable and credible charities for the last 33 years. We encourage children to use the power of their dreams to fight life-threatening illnesses and make these dreams come true. Through Dream in a box fulfillment, Virtual Reality and Dream Room projects, the Foundation is positively impacting the lives of thousands of vulnerable children daily, countrywide.
For more information on the work that we are involved in, visit www.reachforadream.org.za

To reach the 34 dream benchmark, corporates and the public can get involved and donate towards the 34 dreams via the Reach for a Dream website, or contact Head of Business, Natalie Lazaris, directly on +27 (0)82 721 5004 or on [email protected], using #DGdreamtour as a reference.

Follow the #DGdreamtour on FacebookInstagram and Twitter for updates as well as real-time live posts during the Cross Cape Im’possible Dream Tour attempt from 15 – 17 January.

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