The KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz launch took place on Thursday 12 April at the Garden Court Hotel in Port Elizabeth. The event served to once again inform the public what the Charity Trust is all about, their mission and also to welcome the adventurous French triathlete, Nicolas Gracco de Lay to Port Elizabeth.
Founded by former Springbok scrumhalf Garth Wright and business partner, Gary Stephenson, the Charity has set a target of R1.5 million for 2012 benefitting 11 children-based charities in the Eastern Cape region.
The pair are themselves participating in the Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa and will be sporting the orange, Ironman 4 the Kidz race tops along with 67 charity athletes.
Among those in attendance were trustees and founders, Garth Wright and Gary Stephenson. The rest of the trustees, Managing Director of World Endurance South Africa, Keith Bowler, Ironman South Africa Race Director, Paul Wolff and Algoa FM HR Manager, Thuli Mtila were also present along with Nicolas Gracco de Lay.
Of the beneficiaries, Dr Marietjie van der Merwe from Khayalethu Youth Centre, Terry Hattingh from EP Child and Youth Care Centre as well as some of the children from the respective charities were at the event.
Gracco de Lay has been through an incredible journey to get to South Africa and race at next week’s Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa by travelling through Africa by car from his home town in the South of France.
While on his African adventure, the Frenchman has put his weight behind the KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz and is collecting items for auction, the proceeds of which will all be donated to the charity. So far he has received an array of items including kit signed by French Olympian Fred Belaubre, and Sylvain Sudrie, 2012 ITU Long Distance World Champion, national football jerseys signed by the 2012 CAF African Cup of Nations winners, Zambia and various other items.
These collector’s items will all be on auction for the charity after the Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa event.
Garth Wright highlighted that 2012 has been a challenging year but that Gracco de Lay’s mission refreshed what the Charity Trust stands for. “Nicolas’ mission is to promote Ironman and raise funds for the Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity Trust, but he had the selflessness to think of people in need,” said Wright.
Wright also thanked everyone for their contributions highlighting title sponsor, KFC who put in R511 000, Software AG with R200 000 and thanked First National Bank for their support over the years.
“The money raised is terrific, but our message is what is most important. If we open the mind of a child to a better possibility then we’ve done our work,” said Wright.
Going from R11 000 in the first year to setting a target of R1.5 million to include 11 beneficiaries shows just how much the Charity has grown but Wright explains that as the money has grown, so has the responsibility.
This was highlighted by Stephenson saying the Charity has tried to get more involved with more visible projects such as repairing of the roof and establishment of the recreation centre at the EP Child and Youth Care Centre, the fencing of the new Khayalethu Youth Centre and the purchase and registration of a property for “We Care” in Gelvandale that will offer counselling, shelter and support for abused children in the community. “We want to hopefully leave a legacy,” said Stephenson.
“We chose Ironman because it is the ultimate sporting challenge. Those who compete have certain characteristics that set them apart. These being: dedication, discipline and desire. If you have these characteristics then anything is possible,” said Wright.
The Ironman mantra, “Anything is Possible,” is words that Wright believes in and incorporates this motto not only on the course but in the mission and message for the children. The KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz continues to do fantastic work that makes a real difference in the lives of less fortunate children. Look out for the athlete’s in the bright orange race tops at this year’s Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa!
Julia Banach
