The annual Cableway Charity Challenge kicks off this weekend and its organisers, Just Do It (JDI) and Table Mountain Cableway, are calling on locals to support and sponsor participants in an effort to raise money for several local organisations.
Table Mountain Cableway Managing Director, Wahida Parker, says of the initiative, “Since its inception in 2009 the event has raised over R7-million for charities in need of education support in Cape Town.”
The event takes place on April 6 2019 and involves 195 runners and walkers competing in an intense 5.5km circuit which involves climbing to the top of the mountain via Platteclip Gorge and descending via the cablecar as many times as possible. It begins at 6am and ends at 6pm.
Race Director Anton De Waal is calling on members of the public to get involved and help raise more funds for selected charities.
“You can support any one of the participants by heading to Charitychallenge.co.za and donating between R100 and R10 000 per lap completed. Each participant is required to raise a minimum of R2 500 and all money raised goes to the nominated charities. Each lap makes a difference in someone else’s life and whether you participate or sponsor, all efforts contribute to the day’s success.”
Entries are full and are made up of private groups, individuals and professional athletes such as AJ Calitize and Chantel Nienaber. The Corporate Challenge will have corporate teams battling it out to see who can conquer the most climbs and the Cableway has three teams competing this year.
Cableway Team Leader and IT Administrator Ismail Dollie, competing in his fourth Cableway Charity Challenge and hoping to add to his tally of 11 summits, says, “In the build-up to the event we do runs from Kloof Corner, the base of Lions Head, up Platteklip Gorge and to Signal Hill. Instead of catching public transport, some people have increased their daily training by walking to work and back from the Cape Town train station. Knowing that our efforts contribute to charity is that final cherry on top of the already incredible experience.”
Members of the public can sponsor an individual or group here.
Parker comments on the success of the event.
“The day is not only a test of individual endurance but testimony to what can be done when we come together in the spirit of Ubuntu. The ongoing success of the event and the difference it has made thus far is only possible because of the collaborative effort of everyone involved.”
More information on the Cableway Challenge can be found here.
Picture: Facebook, Cableway Charity Challenge.