BackMAKE YOUR SPEC-SAVERS IM 70.3 SA COUNT FOR IRONMAN 4 the KIDZ!

By Marieka Barnard

The Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa is just around the corner and with everyone gearing up for the challenge, the Ironman 4 the Kidz charity, a familiar face at the full-distance event in Port Elizabeth, will for the first time be flexing its muscles at the IMBC event on 17 January 2010.

The goal for athletes wanting to compete on behalf of the charity at the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa is to raise money for miles from corporate or private sponsors. Athletes can help the cause whether they are competing in the event as an individual or as part of a relay team. Corporate or private sponsors contribute R6 000 for an individual athlete or R8 000 for a relay team to compete in the race wearing the sponsor’s branding. The fee covers a specially made Ironman 4 the Kidz race top with the sponsor’s branding on, while the remaining funds are sponsored to the Ironman 4 the Kidz charity for distribution to the beneficiaries.

Established by Garth Wright in 2005, with Gary Stephenson joining him a year later, athletes competing under the Ironman 4 the Kidz registered NPO banner has since raised over R1 151 000 for Eastern Cape beneficiaries. To date funds have been raised by athletes who volunteer to find corporate sponsorship to race in the full distance IMSA in Port Elizabeth, as well as Triangle South Africa’s donation of the Pritt Ironkids aquathlon entry fees and the profits from the sale of the popular M-dot beads. Next year will be the first time that athletes have the opportunity to raise funds for the charity at the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa.

The goal for 2010 is to raise R1 million in total for the charity’s beneficiaries, which in 2009 included the Eastern Province Child and Youth Care Centre, the Khayalethu Youth Centre and the MTR Smit Children’s Haven. Gary says they hope to raise at least R150 000 towards this goal at the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa in January.

If you want to add your support to this exciting project through your participation in the Spec-Savers Ironman or 70.3 South Africa events or by sponsoring an athlete, contact Gary Stephenson on 083 399 3478. Athletes and companies who would like to get involved can also be on the lookout for the Ironman 4 the Kidz road show coming East London’s way in the near future.