Change a Life Academy Media Release  No: CAL1906

15 Oct 2019

 Embargo: None  Written by: Nick Tatham


FNB take on Change a Life MTB Academy sponsorship


Pietermaritzburg – Martin Dreyer’s pioneering Change a Life Academy has received a substantial boost as South African banking giant First National Bank has teamed up to add their support to the mountain biking squad following their continued support of the canoeing team.

The Change a Life Cycle Tour has and is the sole fund raiser for the Change a Life canoeing squad and going forward it will also support their rural mountain biking team.

FNB’s relationship with the Change a Life Academy goes back a couple of years through their support of the annual Change a Life Cycle Tour, which invites captains of industry in South Africa to enjoy a once off, four day, boutique road cycle tour, somewhere amazing in the world.

This year the tour will take participants to Sardinia, Italy, for a ride that has become one of the leading fundraising tours in the country, having raised almost R50 million which has been invested into crime prevention and Youth development.

“This partnership reflects the ‘How Can We Help You’ focus that drives us at FNB,” says Mike Vacy-Lyle, CEO of FNB Business. “FNB is built on the notion of help and our intent is to not only change one life, but to have an ongoing impact on communities in a sustainable manner.

“Based on this approach, the decision to partner with Change a Life was an easy one as they have ten years of experience in championing projects that have an exponential effect in the lives of South Africans.

“As a bank, we understand the need to be agents of change to create the South Africa we all want to see.”

Martin Dreyer’s Change a Life Academy has been a shining light in sports development in South Africa with his paddlers, riders and runners finishing amongst the top achievers in these sports consistently on a national stage.

Dreyer is excited about the new chapter that has been opened by FNB as it continues to give his academy the best chance to achieve top results.

“To have one sponsor for both the paddling and mountain biking academies means that there is a stream-lined focus,” Dreyer said. “It provides fantastic continuity for the mountain bike team and we must thank Rand Merchant Bank for the groundwork that they put in.

“It is a relief that the FNB sponsored CAL Cycle Tour, will also be supporting my MTB team and we are very much looking forward to our team taking on the FNB Wines2Whales early next month.”

Ursula du Plooy, founder and convenor of the Change a Life Cycle Tour, appreciates the role that FNB play in sponsoring the Change a Life Cycle Tour because their contribution remains invaluable to the various Change a Life projects around the country receiving crucial funding.

“FNB’s generous commitment enables us to plan ahead and ensure that our beneficiary projects, including the Martin Dreyer Change a Life Academy in KwaZulu-Natal and the Nelson Mandela Township, Nemato Change a Life in the Eastern Cape, become even stronger and develop to their full potential,” Du Plooy said.

ENDS

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The Martin Dreyer Change a Life Academy MTB squad will join their canoeing counter-parts in having First National Bank as their sponsors. Martin Dreyer/
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