Ottmar Races For Recovery
Veteran cyclist and fitness enthusiast, 63-year-old Ottmar Weber, will put himself to the test of an all-island ride around Grand Cayman on Sunday, 21st August to raise funds for the National Recovery Fund and Grand Cayman's continuing efforts to rebuild following last year's Hurricane Ivan.
Starting at 6:00 a.m. from Sunshine Suites Hotel, Ottmar's race is expected to finish there at 11. General Manager of Sunshine Suites, Frank Givens, has offered the proceeds from a special lunch menu that afternoon towards the fundraising effort, thus making it possible for all of Ottmar's friends to come out and watch his arrival at 11:00 a.m.
Ottmar is supported in this race fundraiser by members of the Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman.
Ottmar has been known to undertake such tests of his strength to raise funds for worthy causes. He has single handedly raised more then $25,000 by riding his bicycle for special causes mostly during the Kiwanis Club's Bike-A-Thon which has been an annual event for the past 23 years.
On his 60th birthday he rode some 117 miles in six hours to raise funds for the Friends of the Deaf. This year, in addition to the National Recovery Fund, Ottmar's ride around Grand Cayman will benefit the Cayman Islands Natural Body Building Association. Ottmar is a member of the association and an active bodybuilder, who last year won the Caribbean Grand Prix in the over 60 age group.
"I am excited about devoting my energies to the recovery effort as so many persons in our community have been doing," Ottmar said. "There is still a long way to go in terms of our community's rebuilding and I want to use my passion for cycling to do what I can to bring in donations to the National Recovery Fund. I welcome the support of the Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman and everyone who will be part of this effort."
Since it was established last September in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, the National Recovery Fund has repaired over 300 homes and is seeking to complete another 300 in the next 12 months. The Fund has prioritized applicants who were not insured and whose households have young children, elderly or infirm residents.
"We at the Fund applaud Ottmar's generous spirit and the support of the members of the Kiwanis Club," noted Dr. Mark Laskin, Executive Director of the National Recovery Fund. "It is encouraging to see that so many persons are volunteering their services and are continuing to contribute to the Fund in various ways. Obviously, we welcome all contributions as every bit helps one more family to return to suitable housing," he added.
Persons wishing to donate to Ottmar's race may mail a cheque, made out to the Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman, to PO Box 1263 GT. Further information is available at www.kiwanis.ky or by contacting Ruud van der Pluijm at 947-9956 or Arie Barendrecht at 946-5656.