SA Missionary raising funds for a good cause
He arrived in South Africa at G4S Pretoria Head Office on Saturday (29 June 2007). The 30 days long trek began at Blantyre-Mwanza-Xai Xai-Maputo then into South Africa’s Komatie Poort before entering Swaziland through Empangeni then to Pretoria.
Each kilometre covered by the missionary roped in one US dollar (approximately R7.20). What made the mission exciting was an update of all his daily experiences along the way, on hyperlink http://www.felix-fila.blogspot.com, Starker’s blogging site.
For his journey, he was armed with his hybrid 24-speed mountain trek bike with a dog-trailer to keep his gear such as sleeping bag, camping tent and a digital camera.
G4S Malawi came on board as one of the main sponsors and facilitated the trip. When he arrived in Pretoria, he was escorted by local Traffic Police and a G4S vehicle.
His journey from Empangeni to Pretoria was 170.64 km’s and took 9 hours 51 minutes. The total amount of kilometres covered in 30 days was 2,959.4 km’s and total amount of time in the riding seat was186 hours and 36 minutes for the whole 30 days.
“I had the most rewarding experience and met different people who welcomed me and some cheered me on. Most of the time I travelled with a headlamp on my head especially in Mozambique as the weather was overcast and cool but the roads were hilly.
“Throughout my travel from Mozambique to Melmoth in KZN, I had five punctures and one cracked rim. I also had to get a new chain, a new back srocket, a hanger and a derailer when arriving at Swaziland. At one stage, I had to install a new gearing system and two spokes because my gearing system went into my wheel spokes.
“During the difficult times, I relied on the Lord for strength and remembered that the bike is prepared for the day of travelling but the deliverance and victor are the Lords!” said Stalker.
CSR Activities for 2007-2008
Felix Starker, with his mountain trek bike.
