Invitation to sponsor: cycle for charity challenge
Correspondent | Wednesday March 8, 2017 15:50
To aid the fund raising, we have organised the Cycle for Charity Challenge which will start in Francistown and finish in Gaborone, from the 15th to the 17th of July 2017. You are receiving this letter because you have been identified as one of the potential sponsors or a possible participant. Consider this an invitation for you to join the challenge, sponsor a distance, sponsor a person, donate a prize, or sponsor cyclists through a corporate or individual sponsorship. Please read the different categories of sponsorship and choose the best way to participate.
1. About the Cycle for Charity
The Cycle for Charity Challenge is premised on the fact that knowledge, Information and Computer Technology (ICT) have become essential to the advancement of education and the production of skilled workforce needed to support and manage the socio-economic development of all countries – including Botswana. The same is also critical for the development of every sector in the economy, be it Agriculture, Education, Health and/or or Manufacturing.
Having long established that all human activity in the 21st century is Information and Communication Technology (ICT) dependent; the Government of Botswana has since designed many policies, programmes and initiatives to equip Batswana of all ages with the necessary skills. Such policies and programmes include theinstitutions of learning, NGO’s Cycle for Charity Challenge – which National Information and Communications
Technology Policy, which provides the country with a roadmap to drive social, economic, cultural and political transformation through the effective use of Information and Communications Technology.
Despite these great efforts by Government, there is still need for different stakeholders, that is – parents, communities, private sector, civil society, donors and others to assist the Government’s efforts where possible – hence the represent my humble attempt to contribute to the development of ICT on pupils.
1. In line with this spirit, Cycle for Charity Challenge is a strategic, yet fun and recreational challenge aimed at raising funds to equip sixty (60) schools with computer laboratories for students in the remote areas of Kgalagadi and Kalanga Regions. This is because research1 has shown that these regions are among the lowest performing regions academically and it is my wish to have an impact on the educational and professional development of these pupils.
Our approach is also designed to give multiple stakeholders a chance to have a hand in changing children’s lives. I also wish to make the Cycle For Charity Challenge an annual event managed through a Trust that will fund ICT development across Botswana.
2. The 2017 Cycle for Charity Event
The 2017 Cycle for Charity Event is scheduled for July 2017. I, Biggie Butale will be the main headliner riding from Francistown to Gaborone – a total of 500kms. An invitation will also be sent to His ExcellencythePresident, Lieutenant General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Mr Lance Armstrong of the Tour de France fame and another famed participant from the Southern African Region.
Because we believe that it is necessary to involve the communities as participants and sponsors in the main route – there will be multiple stops at designated areas, most with different varieties of fundraising activities and entertainment. The human resources from the 60 schools will be actively participating in the fundraising and providing entertainment for the event.
3. Sponsorship Packages
We have established various sponsorship packages in order to hasten the process of fundraising and ensure its success; corporate and individuals are given an opportunity to sponsor the event or the actual purchasing of computers in the selected schools.
a. Different Sponsorship Categories Sponsor a Lab
Computer manufacturing companies are invited to pledge and/or sponsor, computers, wireless internet services, mechanical assistance, provide education on e-learning facilities as well as Smart Education Technologies.
Furnisher retailers are invited to equip the laboratories with tables, chairs, and boards.
ICT and Software companies are invited to offer monetary services, as well as assistance in terms of equipping and furnishing the labs with computers, tables, chairs, boards and technical assistance
b. Sponsor a Team of Riders
Companies and organisations are also invited to sponsor a team of their employees, or select a team of riders to accompany the key headliners.
c. Sponsor a Riding Child
Children will also be invited to ride selected short distances. We believe that this is the most personal and effective way to encourage our children while also making a tremendous impact in the society. Organisations and individuals are therefore invited sponsor a child or a group children to participate at the Cycle for charity 2017 short distances.
d. In Kind Sponsorship
Companies that manufacture cycling gear or sell bicycles, as well as business communities, outdoor sport centres and gyms, are invited to offer their support as sponsors or donate equipment to help cyclist attain the goals of the event.
Store owners are invited to sponsor food and beverages for the event during and after the rides. This can also include back packs filled with goodies and water for the participants (i.e., teams, adult individual participants or individual children).
Local businesses are invited to sponsor the rest areas. This will entail providing food, water, mechanical support and/or port-a-potties.
The in-kind sponsors are also invited to extend a certain number of invitations to customers and volunteers Depending on the sponsorship packages, corporate and individual sponsors will enjoy the following benefits;
Opportunity for the organisations to be represented by a team of riders, wearing corporate brands
Opportunity to connect with customers and clients by having a booth or tent at the sponsored stop overs
Opportunity to brand stop over destinations
Opportunity to provide a gift, coupon or other logo items to the headliners Yours Sincerely, Hon. Biggie Butale Assistant Minister of Investment Trade and Industries