Seventy-five women in 35 five cars, three countries in four days –the annual Cash and Rocket Charity Race geared up for a rip-roaring start as a convoy of elite cars raced across Europe to raise $250 000 for three charities in Africa.

Limpopo-based educational support and scholarship programme Sumbandila was one of them.

The co-founder of Ridgeway College (Makhado / Louis Trichardt) and Sumbandila, Leigh Bristow, received the invitation through British-based funders, Marwyn Investments. She promptly found herself in the company of influential women like Swedish-born model Jodie Kidd, American actress Patricia Arquette, ex-wife of Rolling Stones icon Ronnie Wood, Formula-One driver’s wife Maria del a Rossi and many others.

The Cash and Rocket race was split over three legs and entailed a scenic route from Barcelona to Rome via France and Florence.

“It is difficult to describe the experience,” said Leigh, “I can only describe it as both magnificent and surreal”’

The race kicked off on 13 June in Barcelona. The drivers arrived in Cannes later that evening. Adorned in white designer gowns, they dined on the island Fort Royal, the supposed prison that held the real Man in the Iron Mask who inspired the 1998 film, starring Leonardo Decaprio and French-born actor Gerard Depardieu .

The next day, Leigh, in a blood-red vintage Aston Martin, crossed the border into Italy across the vast Pyrenees Mountain range. They were greeted by a police escort as the convoy of red cars arrived in the ancient city of Florence. The drivers dined at the private residence of renowned Italian designer Roberto Cavalli and rubbed shoulders with guests like opera singer Andrea Bocelli.

“We left Florence the next day and nothing could have prepared me for our entrance into the glorious city of Rome,” said Leigh. When the convoy entered Rome, the Maserati, Ferrari and Fiat flags were flying proudly to the applause and adoration of the crowd. As they drove past the Colosseum, Leigh climbed into the backseat of the Aston Martin and raised the Sumbandila and Ridgeway flags in the city of gladiators.

“This trip not only raised money for Sumbandila, it also raised the profile of Sumbandila and Ridgeway College,” said Leigh.

Each representative from one of the three charities was given the opportunity to address the audience on the gala night. Leigh stood up for Ridgeway College and Sumbandila and the disadvantaged and impoverished children who are afforded an education and an opportunity to work towards a better life and spoke about the hopes and dreams the charity would make a reality.

“Those children who died in 1967 did so for a better education” Leigh began, “and until we can provide that for them, we have failed them. Sumbandila exists to provide a better education for a few exceptional young people who we believe will effect change in the future of our country and show the way.”

Bristow returned home and shared her experience with her students, becoming a living manifestation of the ethos of Sumbandila and providing an example to the students she hopes to inspire and motivate, reminding them that “anything is possible. Our flag can fly outside the Colosseum and our voice can be heard in a faraway city,” said Leigh.