LEAVING A LEGACY: The story behind the scenes

MEMEL – Dedication goes hand-in-hand with the Leaving a Legacy team.

Related article: Legacy total reaches the R10 000 mark

Beyond committing itself to raising funds for the elderly’s sake, the team spends early Saturday mornings training for the Memel to Newcastle Walk in August.

The Newcastle Advertiser caught up with the athletes tackling the 50 kilometres alone.

One of the founder members of the Leaving a Legacy initiative, Marjorie Marais expressed utter belief in the cause of the team.

“To me, legacy is what we leave for the next generation. What we do now, will come back to us one day.”

Mrs Marais said it was better to work towards a local goal, and encouraged others to support Newcastle and its residents through such projects.

Phili Mdakane is one of the more recent additions to the team.

Although she is new to Leaving a Legacy, she was immediately drawn to the cause based on her own experienced with the elderly.

Also see: Restoring dignity in the elderly

“I was raised by my grandmother; even one cent will help.”

Ms Mdakane expected a tough challenge on her maiden 50km walk, stating she never saw herself as an athletic person.

However, she trains once a week to overcome all obstacles.

Another new member to the team is Annelie Hiscock, who is committed to walking 50km for those who cannot afford items like adult diapers.

Being a member of the Leaving a Legacy team is an emotional choice for Jeanne de Heer, whose grandfather passed away recently.

He could not afford the comfort of an old age home in his final years.

“I’m doing this for my oupa.”

For three years, Eurika Louw‘s father lived in an old age home, after succumbing to Alzheimer’s Disease.

When Mrs Louw joined the team, she knew the need for adult diapers for pensioners.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to get involved. La Gratitude does excellent work; and I have great admiration for them. People don’t see just what they do.”

Another of the spirited athletes is Jaco Landsberg, who will put his experience in the Memel to Newcastle Walk to the ultimate test.

His motivation for going the distance is his parents, who passed away when he was young.

“The only thing I can do, is to give others what I couldn’t give my parents.”

Stating legacy was perseverance, Mr Landsberg said joining the Leaving a Legacy team also meant providing for his mother-in-law, a La Gratitude resident.

He is most prepared for the walk, and has practiced regularly since the 2015 event.

The final member of the 50km walkers is Anton Smit, who expressed deep emotion at his grandfather’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

“I am doing this from my heart because of what happened with my oupa – this legacy comes from my heart.”