Team Flamingo tackles sports events in cancer drive
Two Toti paddlers tackled the non-stop Dusi as Team Flamingo.
Gary Albers and Lyle Whitehead paddled the conventional three-day Dusi in one day on Friday, 28 February. “It went well,” said Gary. “It was nice and cool in the morning, but it got hot later in the day. The river was low, but we enjoyed it.” The pair finished 40th overall, in under 11 hours.
Team Flamingo came about after Kevin Hay was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His friends, Ross Fountain and Brett Hadiaris decided to paddle this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon in pink to raise awareness of cancer and funds for Kevin.
Along with Brett’s wife, Nicole, the three also swam the Midmar Mile as Team Flamingo. With more friends coming on board, the initial challenge quickly grew into a community drive. The group went live with a website, www.teamflamingo.co.za, telling Kevin’s story and allowing people to pledge, and Ross challenged Toti residents to join in.
“Eight of us entered the Mudman Series at Albert Falls at the weekend, dressed in our pink shirts,” said Ross. “Some people did it for the first time. It was a fun day out, but a good challenge.”
The team now has international representation from locals who live in the Seychelles, New Zealand, Australia and the UK and will be supported at this weekend’s City to Surf 10km walk in New Zealand.
