Team Flamingo drive goes international

Toti paddlers, Ross Fountain and Brett Hadiaris started Team Flamingo to raise funds for Kevin Hay, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and to raise awareness of cancer.

Ross and Brett, along with Brett’s wife Nicole, swam the Midmar Mile and the pair paddled this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon to fly the ‘Team Flamingo’ flag.

More Toti friends have since joined the team to pledge their support and Ross challenged locals to think of original ideas to either raise funds or awareness.

Rugby fans cheered on the home team at Blue Sky Mining Backpackers Lodge on Saturday, 22 February and the establishment donated 10% of takings to the cancer-awareness drive. The lodge also sold raffle tickets and raised R4,500 to donate to the cause.

“I am very impressed by how many generous people donated prizes for the raffle,” said owner, Barrett Neilson. Thanks to the following for sponsoring raffle prizes: Tops and Victory Kwikspar, Zanzibar Restaurant, Art Visions, Hair by Gordon, Fridgecair, Ultra DVD, Acme Chem, Seabreeze Build-It, Bluff Meat Supply, PC Performance, Pool Zone, Blue Vision Dive Centre, Gary’s Horses, Gail van Vuuren of Xposure Photograph and Sparkport Pharmacy in Warner Beach. Barrett’s father, Bruce also donated R1,000.

“I am overwhelmed by local people’s generosity and the community support on initiatives put forward by individuals and businesses,” said Ross. “We now have international representation from locals who live in the Seychelles, New Zealand, Australia and the UK. The team will be represented at this year’s Argus, the Mooloolaba Triathlon Series in Australia, the Mudman Series this weekend, City to Surf 10km walk in New Zealand and the Electric Run in the UK.”

If anyone would like to join the cause, contact the team via the website www.teamflamingo.co.za or the Facebook page ‘Team Flamingo’. The team requests all ideas are co-ordinated by them. Also check the Facebook page for upcoming events.