2008/10/24
AFTER four long days dirt-biking the Wild Coast for charity, princes Harry and William took the day off yesterday – and helped refurbish a Morgan’s Bay creche.
Roaring into the quiet seaside hamlet with more than 100 overseas riders on Tuesday afternoon, the princes both rolled up their sleeves and helped paint and build a swing. They also entertained the children at the impoverished Siyazaka creche.
Riding with undercover bodyguards, the two British royals arrived at the creche with the other Enduro Africa 2008 riders and were soon carrying heavy poles around and doing other tasks.
Urging another biker to put his back into the job, Prince Harry was overheard telling him to help carry two poles – “one in each hand” – instead of one. But, it was not all work and no play as the princes also bonded with children at the creche between chores.
Hiding behind his helmet and shielded by other bikers, Prince William successfully outsmarted a scrum of paparazzi and curious public waiting at the Kei Mouth Ferry on Tuesday – while his sick brother travelled in a back-up car.
Heading straight for the Morgan’s Bay Hotel instead of joining other bikers at the Bush Pig pub in Kei Mouth, the princes missed out as some of the bikers brought one dusty machine into the pub and burnt rubber on a counter and the floors. Owner Ian Bradley said he had agreed that the team could do the stunt after they had offered to pay him R400 to cover damages.
More relaxed yesterday, the two princes and most of the other bikers rode around Morgan’s Bay without crash helmets .
Enduro Africa organiser Mike Glover said rest days were traditionally set aside to help a worthy local project. This year’s ride had raised more than R5million for several charities – including Prince Harry’s pet project, Sentabale, which he founded in Lesotho with Prince Seeiso in 2006.
The money will be split equally between Sentabale, Unicef’s Unite for Children against Aids and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
With Prince Harry becoming visibly agitated with a small group of photographers staking out the creche, the princes’ bodyguards politely asked the media to back off. Promised another chance later, the media obliged.
Later, the princes and other bikers returned to the nearby township and entertained a large crowd with a football match against a local side.
On their way to a proper hiding by the township soccer wizards, Prince Harry snapped when he spotted photos being taken from the sideline. Angrily stomping over with a bodyguard, Prince Harry swore at the photographer and told him to leave .
The English were walloped 8-3 by the locals . - By DAVID MACGREGOR
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