{"id":65348,"date":"2023-10-11T12:02:32","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T10:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=65348"},"modified":"2023-10-18T08:32:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T06:32:00","slug":"joshua-sole-joins-reach-for-a-dreams-charity-team-as-its-official-ambassador-for-ride-joburg-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/joshua-sole-joins-reach-for-a-dreams-charity-team-as-its-official-ambassador-for-ride-joburg-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Joshua Sole joins Reach For A Dream\u2019s charity team as its official ambassador for Ride Joburg 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Joshua Sole, a 14-year-old cancer warrior, is leading Reach For A Dream\u2019s charity team &#8211; the Dream Riders &#8211; in the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg 2023. This young cyclist is pedalling not just for his love of the sport but to inspire hope in children battling life-threatening illnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At eight years old, Joshua was diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma\u2014an uncommon type of soft tissue cancer in children. His treatment regimen was intense, involving 12 surgeries, over 100 days of hospitalization, 14 months of chemotherapy, and 60 days of radiation. Despite these challenges, which included losing 15 friends, Joshua&#8217;s spirit remained unbroken. His passion for cycling became his beacon, guiding him through the toughest times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e9a1a17e8b9&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e9a1a17e8b9\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1050\" height=\"1400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"65352\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-1-1-1050x1400.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-1-1-1050x1400.jpeg 1050w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-1-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-1-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-1-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-1-1-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-1-1-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1050px) 100vw, 1050px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e9a1a17ec40&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e9a1a17ec40\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1050\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"65353\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-3-1-1400x1050.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-3-1-1400x1050.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-3-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-3-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-3-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-3-1-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e9a1a17f057&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e9a1a17f057\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"971\" height=\"1081\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-hospital-treatement.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-hospital-treatement.jpg 971w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-hospital-treatement-269x300.jpg 269w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Joshua-Sole-hospital-treatement-768x855.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 971px) 100vw, 971px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHis journey with cancer was like a big race,&#8221; says his mother, Lara Sole. &#8220;There are different levels of pain. You wonder if you can continue and even want to give up. But it&#8217;s a matter of mind over matter. You have to keep going.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier this year, Reach For A Dream, a leading non-profit organisation that fulfils the dreams of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses, learnt about Joshua&#8217;s dream to own a professional Titan bicycle. The team organised an unforgettable day at Cycle Lab Bike Park Bryanston, where he received a Dream Rider\u2019s cycle kit, his dream bike, and a day of biking challenges. He also received a motivational message from professional cyclist Daryl Impey while training for the Tour de France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Sole, Joshua\u2019s bike means the world to him. &#8220;When he was sick, he couldn\u2019t walk, so for him, the bike is a huge deal as we used cycling as an incentive to motivate him to get better,&#8221; says Sole. \u201cThe bike is so precious to Josh that it is carefully placed not in the garage but in the entertainment area, and it&#8217;s not uncommon for him to spend two to four hours cleaning it after each ride.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Joshua, now in recovery from cancer, has set his sights on participating in the 947 Ride Joburg as the ambassador for the Dream Riders. \u201cFor Joshua, taking part in this event is not just about fulfilling a personal goal; it&#8217;s about showing other children battling life-threatening illnesses that they too can recover, get stronger, and pursue their dreams,\u201d says Sole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Reach For A Dream Foundation encourages South Africans to join the Dream Riders and participate in the 947 Ride Joburg to support children like Joshua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Every Dream Rider&#8217;s dedication to this challenging race truly mirrors their compassion for our dreamers. It\u2019s an inspiring display of unity that communicates, &#8216;Your battle is our battle, and united, we can overcome anything,'&#8221; says Natalie Lazaris, Head of Business at Reach For A Dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to Old Mutual Insure, every rand raised, including the R1 800 charity fee to join Dream Riders, goes towards making dreams come true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#cfe0ee\">Cyclists can register online at reachforadream.org.za\/dream-riders before 6 October. Alternatively, others can help breathe life into children&#8217;s dreams by donating online.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joshua Sole, a 14-year-old cancer warrior, is leading Reach For A Dream\u2019s charity team &#8211; the Dream Riders &#8211; in the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg 2023. This young cyclist is pedalling not just for his love of the sport but to inspire hope in children battling life-threatening illnesses. At eight years old, Joshua was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":65355,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[230],"featured_location":[338],"class_list":["post-65348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stoke","tag-947-ride-joburg","featured_location-bottom-row"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65348"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65348\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65354,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65348\/revisions\/65354"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65348"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=65348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}