All the hype and hoorahs have faded. Bikes have been stowed away until the next occasion calls both elite and recreational riders take to the road. A small army of enthusiastic volunteers who manned the five water stations along the route of this year’s aQuellé Tour Durban are celebrating stories about their own moments of excitement and servant-hearted action from the Big Day.
This annual cycle event has one beneficiary, The Domino Foundation, whose Volunteer Connector, Thembeka Gumede, was brimming with enthusiasm about the efficiency and amazing commitment and community spirit of the water stations champions: “In addition to our own staff who spent two days serving at the registration tables, in Cycle Lab at Cornubia Mall, and who then stepped forward again on the Sunday morning, alongside 50 volunteers who got out of bed before the sun rose to make sure the cyclists were kept well hydrated, along the round trip from and back to Moses Mabhida Stadium.”
Teams from Northlands Girls High School, Clifton School, Reddam House Umhlanga, Eagle Fire and J. T. Ross, are all big fans and great supporters of Domino, offered jugs full of still and flavoured aQuelléwater and energy-stoking apples, bananas and chocolates to the passing pelotons and to the sweating loners braving the Durban heat and humidity. Thembeka added the volunteers were such an inspiration: “Their dedication to getting the task done with a smile and great vibes, was exemplary! We are so grateful to each of them”
