Words: Leap Communications
The manufacturers of Alpecin, one of the world’s most effective anti-hair loss shampoos and a major player in international cycling, has donated 20 bicycles to an impoverished KwaZulu Natal community through the Qhubeka Foundation.
Courtesy of: Leap Communications
Alpecin, a caffeine-based shampoo to stem hereditary hair loss in males, has been sponsoring cycling for more than 60 years. It recently announced its sponsorship of Team Giant-Shimano which will be renamed Team Giant-Alpecin from January next year when it competes in the UCI World Tour – the “Formula 1” of professional cycling.
In South Africa, Alpecin was involved in this year’s Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge – the world’s second largest timed cycle race -- through contributions to goodie bags and via the Qhubeka Foundation which raises funds for bicycles for children who have to walk over 5km to school every day.
Alpecin’s donation will effectively provide new bicycles to 20 school children in KwaZulu-Natal – with the proviso that they improve their academic results.
Qhubeka’s Executive Director, Sarah Phaweni, said the donation formed part of their festive season “Give Hope” campaign which is aiming to raise funds for 250 bicycles. Alpecin’s donation will positively impact on at least 100 people because, on average, five people – which include family and friends -- benefit from one bicycle delivered through our Bicycle Education Empowerment Programme.” She explained that recipients sign a contract undertaking to improve their academic results and school attendance, further assisting the development of individuals and communities.
Phaweni said Qhubeka bicycle packages included a helmet, lock, pump, tools and delivery. For every 250 bicycles donated, one bicycle mechanic was trained to set up a viable business. “We appeal to the public to match Alpecin’s donation by helping to fund a bicycle and change a child’s future,” she said.
More information
Alpecin phyto-caffeine Shampoo is distributed in SA by Litha Pharma and available at Clicks, Dis-Chem and major pharmacies. See www.alpecin.co.za and find Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo on Facebook here:https://www.facebook.com/alpecin.za?fref=ts
About Qhubeka
Qhubeka is a South African non-profit organisation that helps people to move forward and progress by giving bicycles in return for work done to improve communities, the environment or academic results. Having a bicycle changes people's lives by increasing the distance they can travel, what they can carry, where they can go and how fast they can get there. Qhubeka is World Bicycle Relief’sprogramme in South Africa. World Bicycle Relief is a US-based non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming individuals and communities through The Power of Bicycles. Since 2005, World Bicycle Relief has trained more than 1,100 field mechanics and provided more than 200,000 specially designed, locally assembled quality bicycles to disaster survivors, healthcare workers, students and entrepreneurs in the developing world.
For more information, please visit www.qhubeka.org and www.worldbicyclerelief.org
