Members of team BSG Cycle for LEAP raised a total of R98,000 for LEAP Science and Maths Schools as they participated in this year’s vastly shortened Cape Town Cycle Tour in support of LEAP Science and Maths Schools. With fires raging in the region for almost a week in the build up to the event, the organisers took the difficult decision late on Wednesday to adjust the route to avoid the worst affected areas, including Noordhoek, Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak. This meant that the 35 000 strong group of cyclists covered only 47km, as opposed to the normal 109km route over some of the Cape’s toughest hills. Despite the changes to the route, spirits were high among the BSG Cycle for LEAP riders.
As an organisation with a base in Cape Town, BSG has for many years been committed to community upliftment and social support in the region, which was a big part of its decision to participate in the Cape Town Cycle Tour in support of LEAP Science and Maths Schools. LEAP Science and Maths Schools provide free education to students from high-need communities, and have Mathematics, Physical Science and English as mandatory subjects. LEAP currently operates from six campuses in underprivileged areas: Langa and Gugulethu in the Western Cape, Alexandra, Ga-Rankuwa and Diepsloot in Gauteng, and the community of Jane Furse in the remote Sekhukhune district of Limpopo.
When asked to comment on their partnership with BSG, LEAP Science and Maths Schools’ External Relations Manager, Sabrina Lee had this to say, “BSG has always been a great supporter of LEAP’s work and we are proud to be working with them. Not only has BSG helped us to raise awareness and funds for our work, but they have also brought a love of cycling to the students, which is great to see.”
BSG has supported LEAP Schools for over five years as part of a strategic commitment to support education. As a Professional Services organisation, academic achievement is an important part of BSG’s selection criteria, but more importantly, the organisation believes that every child has a birth right to a decent education, and it is this belief that was the catalyst for their partnership with LEAP Science and Maths Schools.
BSG has committed, as one of its goals for the next 10 years, to making a significant and sustainable difference in communities through education and other ways it can contribute, such as through the commitment of the skills and time of its employees. Over and above its commitment to LEAP Schools, BSG is committed to ensuring education excellence at all levels. In support of this is has partnered with a number of South Africa’s leading universities and sits on Advisory Boards at Rhodes University, the Universities of Cape Town and the Witwatersrand as well as the University of Pretoria. BSG CEO and founder, Greg Reis, believes that only by working closely with Academia, can Industry hope to shape the workforce of tomorrow into the one it needs.
For more information about BSG’s support of education, visit the website (www.bsg.co.za). To pledge your support to LEAP Science and Maths Schools visit http://leapschool.org.za/become-a-giver/. To see all the photos from the day, visit our Facebook page.
