They might claim they’re ‘too old’ to run, but these grandads (and grandmas) are cycling across the country to give the Eastern Cape’s youngest warriors a fighting chance.
East London, South Africa (19 February 2026) – It is almost that time of year again when the beloved Grandads Army climbs into their saddles for an epic journey. They’ll be pedalling from their home in East London all the way to the Mother City, to support life-changing surgery for children in the Eastern Cape.
Founded 13 years ago, the Grandads Army began as a group of seven running and cycling friends who deemed themselves too old to run and chose to focus their energy on two wheels instead.
Eleven years ago, this group cycled the inaugural East London to Stellenbosch Grandads Army Memorial Ride. This gruelling trek serves as a major fundraiser for the Eyabantwana for the Children Trust, an organisation dedicated to supporting the pediatric surgical departments at the Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals in East London.
The route has changed somewhat over the years, and this year, the riders are celebrating the 11th Grandads Army Memorial Ride with no less than 38 cyclists who will be taking on the challenge. From 1 to 9 March 2026, these passionate men and women will embark on a memorable journey from East London to Cape Town.
The group consists of three teams. Team Army (those who ride for comfort, not speed), Team Navy (who are faster than the Army but slower than the Air Force’s Racing Snakes) and Team Air Force (the racing snakes of the group).
The teams ride in relays from East London to Cape Town, each team averaging 100km per day. The Navy gets the ride started and departs the Astron fuel station in Beacon Bay on Sunday, 1 March. They make their way along the N2 to Qonce (King William’s Town), where they hand the proverbial baton over to the Army, who then ride to Alice, where the Air Force takes over and heads to Adelaide, where the Navy start their second stint. This continues with each team completing two cycling legs each day.
“Last year, the Trust purchased a paediatric gastroscope at a cost of R 850,000 using funds raised by our sole fundraising subsidiary, the Grandads Army. Unfortunately, we only managed to raise about R 550,000, and so we were unable to purchase the machine outright, but we managed to get it financed and are currently paying for it,” shares Bronwyn Claridge, representative for the Eyabantwana For The Children Trust.
The Grandad’s Army is hoping to raise funds that the Trust will use to overcome the financial constraints that limit the upgrade of hospital facilities and acquisition of essential paediatric medical equipment.
“We are cycling for children’s surgeries and making a difference in their lives. This year our target is to raise a minimum of R400,000, which we would not be able to achieve without the assistance of corporates or the public,” Bronwyn says.
This trip is made possible by the generous contributions from major sponsors. For the ride schedule or to make a donation towards the Grandads Army Memorial Ride, visit the Eyabantwana For The Children Trust website.
Sources: Bronwyn Claridge
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