The couple set off from Beitbridge on 1 September, riding 8-12 hours a day without a support crew to complete the 4,000km Dragon's Spine mountain bike route, which runs through South Africa and Lesotho on mainly district roads, jeep and animal tracks, with a few tar exceptions.
They were welcomed by Cape Point funicular staff lead by general manager, Celeste Bell. "Upon hearing about Misty and Dylan's epic journey we decided these inspiring people deserved a special welcome. A warm meal at the Two Oceans Restaurant and a funicular ride to the top of the cliffs overlooking the Point with views of the colliding currents is a wonderful way to celebrate their achievement of raising awareness of cerebral palsy."
The couple's aim was to raise funds for non-profit organisation Malamulele Onward, which employs Misty both as a field therapist, treating children with cerebral palsy in the Butterworth area of the Eastern Cape and a project manager for their Carer-2-Carer Training Programme where she trains parents of children with cerebral palsy to run workshops for parents in the ten different rural sites.
"We had a strong conviction that our two month adventure could not simply be for our own enjoyment, so we decided to do it for a cause," said Misty. "We are blessed to have seen such a beautiful part of our country, while doing what we love and raising money for charity. Cerebral palsy is a complex disability and without access to specialised treatment and a good understanding of the condition, both parents and their children are victims of a very difficult journey."
Johannesburg-based Malamulele Onward provides specialised therapy services, equipment and caregiver training to 11 poorly-resourced rural areas of South Africa and Lesotho, where children severely disabled by cerebral palsy have little or no access to rehabilitation therapy and equipment. The Weyer couple will also give 10% of funds raised to Greensleeves Place of Safety, an East London NPO providing holistic residential care for abandoned and abused children.
"Although we have not reached our goal of R200,000 yet, the funds are slowly coming in and are testament to the physical, mental and spiritual challenges we have experienced on this journey," said Misty. "We will continue to use this event to raise funds and awareness for another three months and hopefully reach our goal by the end of January 2014. We are extremely grateful to each and every person who showed their support and opened their hearts, minds, pockets, and homes for our cause."
