A Brackenfell teen with Down syndrome and autism will compete in the Cape Town Cycle Tour on Sunday to raise money for a charity feeding scheme.

David Klinkradt, 17, aided by cycling partner, Brett Chilcott, will be taking part in their ninth Cape Town Cycle Tour and hope to raise R20 000 through a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign for the Hampers of Hope feeding programme run by Raising Hope South Africa, a charity that helps the pupils and families of Brackenfell’s Paarl School for disabled children.

Riders Gavin Rossouw and Steven Burnett will be riding support for the duo during the 109km event on Sunday, according to BackaBuddy spokesman Zane Groenewald.

Raising Hope South Africa was founded by David’s older sister, Ashlyn Klinkradt, in 2016.

David cannot ride a bicycle independently, so he takes on the challenge in a buggy attached to Mr Chilcott’s bicycle.

“Sport and, in particular, cycling have provided some of the best experiences of my life. A bike is one’s first sense of freedom, the ability to move off on an adventure and explore your surroundings. The feeling of the wind in your face as you ‘fly’ downhill or the view as you round a corner, these are special and precious things,” said Mr Chilcott.

“I decided to ride with David to try and expose and give a young boy the opportunity to experience this for himself. Over the last 10 years, I have watched David grow, overcome more challenges and obstacles than are fair. We are more than riding partners, we are friends, a team, and he has changed my life for the better, forever.”

David was part of the Chaeli Campaign’s Ambassadors programme from 2015 to 2021, and he has given several awareness talks on Down syndrome and autism. He also serves in the Durbanville Leo Club, according to Mr Groenewald.

The volunteering chief executive of Raising Hope South Africa and David’s mother, Mary Klinkradt, said the organisation also accepts donations in the form of tinned and dried food items and cash.

For more information about donations, contact Ms Klinkradt at 074 934 6279.

Brett Chilcott cycling with David Klinkradt on the buggy with other cyclists during the 2019 Cape Town Cycle Tour. Picture: Supplied.

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