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Thank you, generous donors! Since 2006, you've helped us raise over $1.3 million
We're a group of 100+ women who raise funds and awareness for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, supporting the work of African grandmothers caring for children orphaned by HIV and AIDS.
Contact us for more information
victoriagrandmothers4africa@gmail.com
778 977 7069
Contact us for more information
victoriagrandmothers4africa@gmail.com
778 977 7069
We made the Globe and Mail!
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa take bike event online
Event chair Stefa Katamay says the virtual ride was such a success that the group is considering continuing it in the future.
PITCHING IN
The organizers: Victoria Grandmothers for Africa
The pitch: Raising $141,000 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation
The COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed fundraising activities for many charities, but a group of women in Victoria has managed to find a way to raise more money than ever for their cause.
The Victoria Grandmothers for Africa usually holds a threeday bike ride every August from Campbell River, B.C., to the provincial capital. The ride covers about 275 kilometres and the event raises money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign, which funds a variety of educational and health care services in Africa.
Road restrictions mean the group normally has to limit the number of participants to around 30. When the pandemic hit last spring, the group moved the ride online and opened it up to as many women as possible.
Riders set their own goals and biked around their local area for four weeks. The organizers hoped everyone would cycle 18,107 km in total, the distance of a circuitous route between Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Cape Town in South Africa, which covers several communities where the foundation operates.
The response was overwhelming. A total of 67 women took part and covered nearly 28,000 kilometres. They raised just over $141,000 in total, the highest in the event’s 14-year history and nearly $20,000 more than last year.
The group has now raised more than $1-million for the foundation since the first bike ride in 2007.
“We had so many people who would never consider riding 275 kilometres over three days,” said Stefa Katamay, who chaired the event and rode more than 600 km around her home in Victoria. “We had an 85-year-old woman who got on her bike for the first time in 25 years. We had a 75year-old woman who got on a bike for the first time in 40 years. We had an 84-year-old who rode over 600 kilometres.”
Ms. Katamay said the virtual ride was such a success that the group is considering continuing it in future, likely in conjunction with the road tour.
“What we’re hearing is that this virtual format where you could set your own distance really worked for a lot of people,” she said. “I don’t think we’re going to completely lose this virtual format in the future. It’s too inclusive.”
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa take bike event online
- 10 Oct 2020
- PAUL WALDIE pwaldie@globeandmail.com
Event chair Stefa Katamay says the virtual ride was such a success that the group is considering continuing it in the future.
PITCHING IN
The organizers: Victoria Grandmothers for Africa
The pitch: Raising $141,000 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation
The COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed fundraising activities for many charities, but a group of women in Victoria has managed to find a way to raise more money than ever for their cause.
The Victoria Grandmothers for Africa usually holds a threeday bike ride every August from Campbell River, B.C., to the provincial capital. The ride covers about 275 kilometres and the event raises money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign, which funds a variety of educational and health care services in Africa.
Road restrictions mean the group normally has to limit the number of participants to around 30. When the pandemic hit last spring, the group moved the ride online and opened it up to as many women as possible.
Riders set their own goals and biked around their local area for four weeks. The organizers hoped everyone would cycle 18,107 km in total, the distance of a circuitous route between Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Cape Town in South Africa, which covers several communities where the foundation operates.
The response was overwhelming. A total of 67 women took part and covered nearly 28,000 kilometres. They raised just over $141,000 in total, the highest in the event’s 14-year history and nearly $20,000 more than last year.
The group has now raised more than $1-million for the foundation since the first bike ride in 2007.
“We had so many people who would never consider riding 275 kilometres over three days,” said Stefa Katamay, who chaired the event and rode more than 600 km around her home in Victoria. “We had an 85-year-old woman who got on her bike for the first time in 25 years. We had a 75year-old woman who got on a bike for the first time in 40 years. We had an 84-year-old who rode over 600 kilometres.”
Ms. Katamay said the virtual ride was such a success that the group is considering continuing it in future, likely in conjunction with the road tour.
“What we’re hearing is that this virtual format where you could set your own distance really worked for a lot of people,” she said. “I don’t think we’re going to completely lose this virtual format in the future. It’s too inclusive.”
Summer Covid-19 Market
with VG4A members and friends
was a great success, raising over $3,500.
It was wonderful to connect again -- at a distance!
with VG4A members and friends
was a great success, raising over $3,500.
It was wonderful to connect again -- at a distance!
Our six teams have completed their virtual ride,
Cycling sub-Saharan Africa
Click here to read about it
Cycling sub-Saharan Africa
Click here to read about it
Great news from the Campaign!
"Over the summer, we had dozens of virtual walks across the country that collectively raised a total of $260,000! This is the most Stride has raised since 2013! This year, Victoria Grandmothers for Africa raised an impressive Stride total of $9,250.00!"
Congratulations to all the walkers and organizers for such a successful result!
"Over the summer, we had dozens of virtual walks across the country that collectively raised a total of $260,000! This is the most Stride has raised since 2013! This year, Victoria Grandmothers for Africa raised an impressive Stride total of $9,250.00!"
Congratulations to all the walkers and organizers for such a successful result!
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