Gerard Omasta-Milsom reports on a recent charity cycle ride

The fourth Thuso Solar Cycle Ride has so far raised nearly £1,000 for a local charity that helps support orphans and destitute students in South Africa.

The 40-mile sponsored ride went out into Epping Forest from Walthamstow, into North Weald in Essex, and returned via Theydon Bois.

At the start Mmapula Tladi-Small, the chair of Waltham Forest Thuso in South Africa (WFTISA), spoke about the work of the charity, and Councillor Saima Mahmud waved us off.

The ride was supporting the charity’s appeal to provide solar lamps to children and families at schools in South Africa, since children without light can’t study. Donations will help buy £7.50 study lights, £15 family lanterns, and £35 solar lanterns and mobile chargers.

Thuso means “helping hand” in Sesotho, one of South Africa’s 11 official languages. The charity was set up by Waltham Forest Action for Southern Africa, the successor organisation to the anti-apartheid movement locally.

We set ourselves a target of raising £2,000 this year and these funds will have a tremendous impact on the poor communities we support in South Africa, by providing them with much needed solar lights.

People can still donate via the fundraising page:

Visit https://mydonate.bt.com/events/thusobikeride2017/447989

For more information on Waltham Forest Thuso in South Africa:

Visit www.thuso.org

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.