Midrand athletics club runs to raise funds for babies home
MIDRAND – Midrand Waterfall Athletics Club prepare to host their virtual 10kilometer run and are calling on community members to take part.
The Midrand-based Waterfall City Athletics Club will host a 10km virtual run on 5 December with all the proceeds going to Botshabelo, a local non-profit organisation.
The virtual Waterfall City Athletics Club Aids Day Run will be the club’s way of highlighting the importance of people knowing their status and taking care of their health.
Now in its third year, the run serves as an awareness campaign while also raising much-needed funds to help Botshabelo.
Botshabelo cares for orphaned children, some of whom have been infected with HIV/Aids.
Chairman of the club Velile Memela said, “HIV/Aids remains one of the most serious global threats of our time. The aim of the run is to keep the focus on this threat through awareness.
“By participating in this run, and through the generosity of donations, we will be able to contribute meaningfully to the fight against new infections and ensure that those living with the virus are not left behind.”
Botshabelo’s managing director Michelle Hinrichsen said, “Botshabelo cares for orphaned and abandoned babies in our home, though through the wonder of medicine our babies are mostly HIV negative even when they are exposed.”
Hinrichsen added, “Mother to child transmission is significantly lower than when we started our home. Through last year’s Aids Day Run, Waterfall City AC raised critical funds for our babies’ home to ensure that we can continue to care for our precious babies with the highest standards.”
Last year, the club managed to sell more than 600 tickets for the run and secure donations of R25 000 cash and nearly R25 000 worth of running shoes. They were backed by sponsors who donated more than R50 000 and gave away prizes that included new shoes and water bottles.
This year’s run will be virtual and participants can run either 5km or 10km in their preferred location between 6am to 6pm. The run is free but the club is encouraging everyone to make a donation to Botshabelo.
Exectutive committee member of the club John Legoale said, “We have around 280 members from in and around Midrand. Although we are mostly known for running, we are also venturing into cycling, among other things. We also pride ourselves in lending our voices to social ills like gender-based violence and have various initiatives to raise awareness. For those who would like to exercise their mental fitness, we also have a book club.”
Details: Tickets are available through Quicket.
