2017 CYCLING TOUR DSAWC fundraising request (1) (PDF)

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 17th ANNUAL CYCLING TOUR IN AID OF THE DOWN
SYNDROME ASSOCIATION WESTERN CAPE
Dear Sir / Madam
Thank you very much for considering our proposal to assist the Mountain View Cycle Club in aid of the Down
Syndrome Association Western Cape (DSAWC).
Your contribution will make a big difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome (DS) and help us to
continue to provide our specialised services.

Background
Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent of all chromosomal abnormalities arising at the time of
conception. It is not a disease and this purely random occurrence happens in 1 in 1000 births in South Africa
– traversing all nationalities and backgrounds.
The Down Syndrome Association Western Cape was formed in 1976 and offers a variety of services across
the Western Cape. We support people with Down syndrome (DS), others with similar intellectual disabilities,
as well as their families.

Our Focus
Our services and programmes are aimed at improving the quality of life for ALL people with Down syndrome,
helping them find their purpose and take their rightful place in society. This include social work services,
early childhood development, workshops for young adults with DS and outreach programmes in the rural,
poverty stricken and previously disadvantaged communities. We encourage people with DS to develop to
their full potential, using their skills and abilities to contribute in their communities. In this way we strive to
create awareness and promote the idea that they have the right to live with independence, dignity, respect
and security as valued adults and full citizens in our society.
The organisation also believes it is vital to educate and support the families of people with Down syndrome
and hosts regular talks, information sessions and parent support groups.
We are proud that DSAWC is now reaching more than 511 direct, as well as more than 4000 indirect
beneficiaries annually and have grown tremendously in its 41 years of existence.

Non-profit Organisation 035-074-NPO
73 Van der Stel Street, Oakdale, Bellville 7530
Mobile Marijke Vermaak: 081 270 9493
Tel: 021 919 8533 - Fax: 021 919 8266
projects@downwc.co.za
www.downwc.co.za
Public Benefit Organisation Nr: 930011017 - Section 18A of the Income Tax Act 1982 - DSAWC is exempt from Income Tax

Annual Cycling Tour
The Mountain View Cycle Club is taking part in a fundraising cycling tour in aid of the Down Syndrome
Association Western Cape.
For the last 17 years we have been the beneficiaries of the Mountain View Cycling Club (Goodwood), while
they cycle annually all the way from Bellville to Mossel Bay. We stop at various towns to create awareness,
while we visit schools, churches and corporates, who all participate and support this event.
This year the tour will take place from the 27th February to the 4th of March 2017. It will consist out of a
group of nine cyclists, two DSAWC personnel, as well as one young man with Down syndrome (Jody Adams)
who has an exceptional singing talent and who will be performing along the way.
The 2017 tour is also particularly special, as it is the launch of our new brand.

Challenges and Solutions
The Down Syndrome Association Western Cape was established by a group of parents (with children with
DS) and volunteers. Since its inception it has largely been dependant on its community for support.
Although the government does provide some financial aid, it contributes to less than a quarter of the
organisation’s annual needs.
For this reason the organisation continually strives to create sustainable fundraising initiatives, in
partnership with the greater community and corporate donors, of which the annual cycling tour is a huge
contributor to our resources.

Our Aim
The aim of this tour is twofold:
 One: Creating awareness amongst people, including schools, the business sector and communities
 Two: Raising funds to assist those affected by Down syndrome through our programmes.

Non-profit Organisation 035-074-NPO
73 Van der Stel Street, Oakdale, Bellville 7530
Mobile Marijke Vermaak: 081 270 9493
Tel: 021 919 8533 - Fax: 021 919 8266
projects@downwc.co.za
www.downwc.co.za
Public Benefit Organisation Nr: 930011017 - Section 18A of the Income Tax Act 1982 - DSAWC is exempt from Income Tax

Your Contribution
This year we want to invite all our current supporters, new supporters and those who are just looking where
they can make a difference, to invest in the work that we do and to help us make this the most successful
tour since 2001.
You can contribute by making a financial contribution, donating food (coffee, snacks for energy and
refreshments), as well as sponsoring fuel for the vehicles accompanying the cyclists. This will help us to limit
the tour expenses and ensure that all the money collected can be used to support our cause of serving
people with DS and their families throughout the Western Cape.
DSAWC will also provide feedback to donors on how their contributions were utilised. The organisation is
committed to a process that is associated with transparency, growth, development and empowerment.

Benefits to Donors
1. BEE Benefits
DSAWC will provide donors with a copy of our BEE certificate as well our client demographics; ensuring that
our donors receive maximum benefits for their social responsibility contribution.
2. Media Exposure
The Down Syndrome Association Western Cape enjoys great support and goodwill from local print and
broadcast media and can negotiate exposure for donors. Every year the Tygerbuger paper covers the DSAWC
Cycling Tour.
We will also mention donors in our social media posts during the event.
3. Tax Benefits
DSAWC is a registered Section 18 (A) organisation and all donors can request a Section 18 (A) tax certificate.
Donations are deductible from your taxable income, up to a maximum of 10 % of taxable income.

Non-profit Organisation 035-074-NPO
73 Van der Stel Street, Oakdale, Bellville 7530
Mobile Marijke Vermaak: 081 270 9493
Tel: 021 919 8533 - Fax: 021 919 8266
projects@downwc.co.za
www.downwc.co.za
Public Benefit Organisation Nr: 930011017 - Section 18A of the Income Tax Act 1982 - DSAWC is exempt from Income Tax

Banking details
Down Syndrome Association Western Cape
ABSA
Sanbel Branch
Code: 523-410
Acc No.: 107 462 2344
Cheque account

Our Appreciation
We would like to thank you, in advance, for your consideration and willingness to support us in this project!
Your contribution can literally change the course of a person’s life. In the words of Albert Pike: “What we
have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is
immortal”.

Contact Us
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries in this regard.
If you know of any other corporate or individual that would want to support this endeavour, please send me
their details.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Marijke Vermaak
PRO: Marketing & Fundraising
081 270 9493

Non-profit Organisation 035-074-NPO
73 Van der Stel Street, Oakdale, Bellville 7530
Mobile Marijke Vermaak: 081 270 9493
Tel: 021 919 8533 - Fax: 021 919 8266
projects@downwc.co.za
www.downwc.co.za
Public Benefit Organisation Nr: 930011017 - Section 18A of the Income Tax Act 1982 - DSAWC is exempt from Income Tax