Absa Off Road Championship to host annual charity party

OFF ROAD COMMUNITY CELEBRATES 22 YEARS OF CHARITY WORK

One of South African motorsport's longest running charity events - a Christmas Party to raise funds for Sunfield Homes and Logwood Village - will celebrate its 22nd anniversary on November 21.

Organised by the Absa Off Road Championship community this year's party will again be held at Tarlton International Raceway, venue for the RFS Magalies 400, on November 19 and 20. The RFS Magalies 400 is the final event in this year's Absa series while the West Rand facility has traditionally been the home of the charity drive.

"We have had incredible support from the off road fraternity and from Tarlton for more than two decades," said chief organiser and South African National Off Road Car Racing Association chairman Richard Schilling. "Competitors have already contacted us offering their services and we are again looking for a continued commitment from the off road community."

The event is being organised in conjunction with the Rotary Merlins Club based in Roodepoort. The focus is on raising funds to build a frail care centre at Logwood Village, which caters for people suffering from Downs Syndrome.

"We will be catering for 100 children and the highlight of the day will be the morning rides in off road cars on a specially prepared circuit," Schilling said. "After lunch there will be puppet and ventriloquist shows, and the youngsters have a happy time before Farther Christmas arrives and we take them home."

Schilling added that off roaders had always risen to the occasion, but for various reasons a number of competitors and teams cannot attend the Sunfield Christmas party. Off roaders who cannot make it on the day can, however, still participate by making financial donations for gifts and entertainment into a special bank account.

Donations marked "Kids Day" can be deposited into SANORCRA Donations, Absa account number 9253440591 branch code 632005.

"We are living in difficult economic circumstances, but I am certain this is not going to stop the off road community from once again rising to the occasion to help people who are less fortunate than themselves," Schilling said. "Over the years the charity day has brought a little joy into the lives of hundreds of children, and we are looking forward to another happy event."

-source: saorc