One of the world’s most remarkable disabled men will be visiting the area soon.

Dave Barr, US Marine, para­trooper in the Israeli Army, RLI Troopie and para­bat pathfinder, is revis­it­ing South Africa, the land for which he gave his all. He is an American man who joined the SADF and lost his legs when his Jeep hit a landline in Angola while Dave was the legendary Colonel Jan Breytenbach's machine gunner. Dave recovered and, after returning to combat duties on prostheses, finally left the army and embarked on a lifelong quest to help other disabled people come to terms with their disabilities.

Dave chose Cheshire Homes as his favoured charity as it had been started by another soldier, the VC winner Leonard Cheshire of WW2.

Dave took on the almost unbelievable challenge of circumnavigating the world, alone, on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. No-one, never mind a disabled person, had ever done this before. In 1994, Dave completed 132 000 km and entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the first of three entries. After this stupendous feat, he also criss-crossed Australia and crossed Siberia in winter, alone, on his Harley.  During his journeys, Dave gave motivational talks to disabled people and raised money for the world-wide Cheshire Homes organisation.

This year, Dave returns to South Africa on his Dave Barr’s Rough Rider tour in aid of Cheshire Homes and QASA. At each of his overnight stops, he will give a soul-stirring talk of his adventures and aims to help the disabled. 

Residents of the Soutpansberg will have the opportunity to meet Dave on 16 May at the Cloud's End Hotel as part of a local fundraiser. Gates will open at 11:00, with the tour arriving at 12:00. There will be fun and games for the whole day, including competitions for the nicest bike, most adventurous, ball and cone challenge, tire throw and road kill. Two bands will also perform, including Comet D Strings and Sold Out . Dave’s talk will follow at 18:30.

There are also some stalls available at R150 per stall. For more information in this regard and on Dave’s visit, phone Corneli at 083 643 3980. The entry fee for the day is R30 for adults and R10 for children. Camping is also available.