BOS Sport – the proudly South African sports drink that offers a sustained energy release with the use of complex carbs and is rich in rooibos for optimal rehydration and muscle recovery – has been running an initiative since 2013, where 5 cents from every bottle of BOS Sports drink goes towards their GO BOS Fund.
Now, the initiative has been able to award five deserving NGO’s that support the youth of South Africa, with the funds to develop resources and initiatives that encourage the youth of South Africa to engage and participate in sports. Through the GO BOS Fund, BOS Sport was able to grant each commendable NGO with a R10 000 cheque each.
We were lucky enough to be invited over to the handover event on Friday 19 May, where representatives from each organisation came over to The Station gym to sweat for their cheque. Owner of the gym, Bauke Hanekom, had us take part in a series of partner-related workouts (with a lot of cardio) from relay races to push ups. At the end of the workout, the representatives were handed their cheques, that were bright enough to boast the amazing work that they all do for children in South Africa.
Among the hundreds of entries from across South Africa, the following five NGOs were the successful recipients of the grants…
Trail running in South Africa provides so many opportunities for adults but rarely caters for kids. This is where One Heart steps in and develops kids in trail running and instils a love for sport and the environment. Their aim is to allow the youth to discover the joy of running without the pressures of always having to be the best. Their purpose is to inspire young people to believe that they can conquer any trial and maintain a healthy body and a sound mind.
Afrika Tikkun dedicates their efforts to invest in education, health and social services for children, youth and families through Centres of Excellence programmes and partnerships within their communities. Afrika Tikkun believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to be the best they can be as today’s youth are our tomorrow.
Grassroot Soccer is a health organisation for adolescents that leverages the power of soccer to educate, inspire and mobilise at-risk youth in developing countries. Their goal is to provide the opportunities to overcome health challenges, live more productive and healthier lives and be ambassadors for change in their communities. Grassroots Soccer believes that promoting healthy habits and practices during adolescence it helps to better protect young people from future health risks.
Founders of Inspired 2 Become, Chris and Fanie van der Merwe are both knowledgeable in the sports industry and used their talents in the sports they love to motivate young people who often times get overlooked. Chris is a professional inline rollerblader and teachers children from disadvantaged backgrounds how to rollerblade, skateboard and skim board. Fanie, a Paralympic athlete, coach’s athletics to children with different disabilities. Last year, Inspired 2 Become introduced an education therapy programme and Surf Club in Strand.
Share The Stoke Foundation’s founders and partners had a goal to provide children and teenagers with the resources they required to realise their dreams of surfing. By donating surfboards, Share The Stroke’s mission is to create new possibilities for underprivileged youth by getting them off of the streets and into the water.
After working up a sweat with the NGO representatives and watching them receive their grants, we all joined up to enjoy some burgers off of the braai and an ice cold BOS Sports drink. BOS sent us home with some BOS goodies along with a bright yellow BOS cupcake, because we most certainly earned it.
Photography Courtesy