Personal message

Last year I did my first Cape Town Cycle Tour – it was a bucket list item, something I had only dreamed of, but never thought I would do. All my life I’d be afraid to start with the fear that I would fail, that I was not good enough, but last year, I stood up, in my funny cycling pants, looked fear in the eye and whimpered….yes I will…and so I did.

This is one of the gifts I have received on my journey in recovery from active addiction. I have become willing to succeed and willing to fail. I ‘failed’ twice at Comrades before bringing home a medal. I have ‘failed’ at all my Two Oceans Ultra attempts , but have I really? I feel so blessed and privileged to walk a journey of love and friendship with so many people – family, my running mates, my 12 step tribe and AOL yogi’s. My biggest treasure from Comrades is not my medal…but spending time with my cousin and his family and catching up on years past and the journey of getting to the start.

This is my wish for others who suffer from the disease of addiction. I was lucky, I found my way through a 12 step fellowship, but for some Rehab is required.

This is where the Recovery foundation comes in? They help people at the bottom end of Society, the guys on the streets… they don’t have homes, jobs etc.  Most of them, if not all, have some sort of drug dependency issue. They take the individual off the streets, into a rehab centre to get clean and then we put them into long term reintegration programs (such as halfway houses etc.) and work on skills development, family reintegration services, basic coping skills, healthy living (eating healthy, physical activity usually through football, cycling or running).

They also use various events during the year to raise awareness and funds such as the 94.7, Cape Town Cycle Tour, The Recovery Film Festival, we have a 5 a side football tournament in June (youth month) etc.

If you’re able, please consider making a small donation to the Recovery Foundation and maybe change someone’s future.

Love Graham

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