Tracker CEO completes the Change a Life Cycle Challenge

Posted by Bronwynn Tippett on Oct 3, 2011 in Social Responsibility | 0 comments

2011 marks the third consecutive year that Tracker’s CEO, Alan Hutcheson, participated in the fundraising Change a Life Cycle Challenge. As one of the official sponsors of the event, Tracker made donations towards the Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust, which is aimed at combating crime and providing support to victims of crime, with a special focus on children.

Tracker’s helicopters were seen throughout the tour, capturing footage of the cyclists

The event, which took place on 2 – 7 September, proved to be an adventure of a lifetime for Alan, who completed the 530 km route through Namibia in the name of charity. Alan, along with 70 other executive cyclists who were selected to go on the tour, kicked off in Windhoek on 3 September. The group of cyclists travelled westwards across the Namib Desert before ending in Walvis Bay on the fourth day.

Tracker’s CEO, Alan Hutcheson, and the Change a Life Cycle Challenge Tour Director on Long Beach

Day One was a hot 121 km, Day Two a gruelling 201 km trek, whilst Day Three saw the cyclists enduring sweltering heat over 111 km through the Namib Desert. Day Four was just 101 km long, providing a spectacular end to the tour as the cyclists pedalled along a well-groomed salt road with the Atlantic Ocean in view.

Tracker helicopter capturing the spectacular final day at the Peer Restaurant. Derek Watts celebrating with fellow cyclist

About the Change a Life Cycle Challenge

Following the success of 2007’s Change a Life Cycle Challenge in Laos, the Change a Life African Cycle Tour was launched in September 2008 and has taken place annually since then in South African and Southern African destinations, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and Namibia. The major beneficiary of the event is the Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust.

Sponsors’ donations, such as those made by Tracker, pay for most of the direct costs involved with the event, ensuring that cyclist entry fees and other donations by Computershare (the event organiser and manager) go directly to the Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust. The 2008 and 2009 event raised a combined R6-million for the Trust.

About the Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust
The Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust in South Africa was established after the murder of Computershare Senior Manager Mike Thomson in 2007. The Trust sponsors grassroots initiatives aimed at combating crime and providing support to victims of crime, with a special focus on children.

Some of the sponsors of this year’s event include Air Namibia, Tracker, Blue Label Telecoms, Fedhealth, Macsteel. Sun Internantional, USN, Vodacom, amongst others.

Fine out more about Tracker’s Corporate Social Investments and the Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust!