Local newsNews

Jumping for burn survivors

Fourth Jump-Athon event in Gauteng comes to an end at Westgate.

Shoppers experienced something a little different when they arrived at Westgate Shopping Centre’s Entrance 2 on Saturday 13 July.

They were confronted by a very tall man with a mic as well as a number of jumping castles, prizes and ER24 personnel for what was the fourth Jump-Athon event held in Gauteng. The three other events were held in Panorama, Menlyn and Greenstone.

Nick van Tonder from the Kwodonata Group and a facilitator with 30 plus years’ experience in public speaking and promotion, explained the activities to the Record. “A Jump-Athon is about two things – creating awareness and raising funds for burn survivors. It’s an event where nursery school children/school children/employees are invited to jump for charity. Jump-Athon is partnering with corporates to raise funds for the National Burn Association of South Africa (NBASA). We are supporting their campaign to prevent accidental burns and help children that have been burned.”

On the Kwodonata Group’s official website at www.kwodonata.co.za  a Jump-Athon is described as a high-energy, fun-generating, spirit-lifting and difference-making team build[ing effort].

Each team member gets people to sponsor R120, which entitles them to jump on jumping castles in aid of NBASA. This organisation disseminates information to the people of South Africa on how to prevent deaths, injuries and property loss due to fires and burns.

According to the Fire Protection Association of South Africa, insured losses due to fires average R1,4 billion per annum.

“Jump-Athons are all for a good cause. It brings people together and is an awesome way to get different branches and departments to work together,” Nick added.

From a safety point of view ER24, who supports Jump-Athon events, had trained medical staff on hand to show their support for the No Burns Philosophy of NBASA – not to mention the Road Rangers as well as response cars and a few ambulances that put up a great show.

Besides jumping castles for the children, activities for the day included lucky draws (sponsored by Telkom Mobile who gave away two eBook readers and an Acer Tablet as main prizes), T-shirts and a printer as giveaways from Matrix Warehouse, 10 Spur vouchers valued at R50 each, blankets, umbrellas, giant soccer balls and SA bags sponsored by Westgate, Gladiator Inflatables for the extra jumping castles put up just for the day, five V8 track experiences donated by Auby Boyz Racing as prizes for shooting an arrow and hitting a target, two CDs donated by CUM Bookstore, and 500 bottles of water donated by Bianca Otto from Silver Chalk www.silverchalk.co.za, who is an independent sponsor.

Nick concluded by mentioning that NBASA will be hosting the next International Jamboree event from 26 to 30 August.

“This is a huge event where burn survivors from around the world come to South Africa. We celebrate burn survivors and their spirit. They are overcomers, and all the guys can experience different countries and ways people deal with burns. A Jamboree is educational. Volunteers come to help out and are given a psychological perspective – how to help and council the families and burn survivors”.

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.

Related Articles

Back to top button