Global Fundraising Platform GivenGain Challenges ’13 Peaks Endurance’ Participants to up the Ante and Run for Good
GivenGain, the global fundraising platform founded by two South Africans, has partnered with Mindset Movement – a South African club focussed on transforming lives through endurance sport, to raise funds for local non-profit organisations while taking on the formidable ‘13 Peaks Endurance Challenge’ in Cape Town on the 10th of October 2024.
The route consists of tagging 13 of Cape Town’s most iconic peaks and covers approximately 105 km and 6000 m of vertical gain. Several athletes from Mindset Movement will be attempting to complete it in under 24 hours in support of these local non-profits.
One such participant is Didier de Villers. Last year, de Villiers became the first person ever to run the ‘13 Peaks’ twice, consecutively in under 48 hours. This year, de Villiers is challenging himself yet further. His goal – to run ‘13 Peaks’ every day for as many days as possible, whilst using it as an opportunity to raise funds in support of the Evelina Tshabalala Foundation.
“I met Evelina in 2023 after I saw an Instagram post asking for donations to help her buy a Comrades Marathon entry ticket. She was a domestic worker for a friend of mine and I went to meet her to see how I could help,” says de Villiers. “Over the next hour, I heard the story of an incredible woman who has not let tragedy and hardship define her life.”
Evelina Tshabalala made history in 1993 by becoming the first black woman to claim a podium spot at Cape Town’s Two Oceans Marathon, finishing third. Despite this achievement, her life took a difficult turn when she was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the late 1990s, amid widespread stigmas. Since her diagnosis, Evelina has gone on to conquer ultra marathons and the highest peaks, becoming an activist in her community. She founded the Evelina Tshabalala Foundation which seeks to get children off the streets by participating in running and provides support and resources to people living with HIV/AIDS while promoting healthy lifestyles and fitness, particularly through running.
“I used to run from Milnerton to Blouberg in the morning and I would see children from our community begging for money. This led me to start an initiative to help keep them off the streets,” says Tshabalala.
Other fundraisers attempting ‘13 Peaks’ in under 24 hours include Mark Wille and Simoné Fuls. Wille is raising funds for Ubuntu Football Trust, an organisation that uses football to empower youth in South Africa and Fuls is running in support of Great Girls, a charity dedicated to empowering young women through education and support.
“Taking on a challenge like ‘13 Peaks’ tests the mind and body, but it’s nothing compared to the obstacles these girls face every day. By supporting Great Girls, we can help shape these young women into strong, independent, and skilled individuals ready to conquer the world,” comments Fuls.
Cape Town’s ‘13 Peaks’ was also the feat of choice for 11-year-old GivenGain fundraiser Kenzie Knott who, earlier this year, climbed all 13 peaks in 6 days with her dad to raise funds for rhinos.
“My passion has always been the mountains and animals. I wanted to make a difference by attempting my fourth ‘13 Peaks Challenge’ to raise R 15 000 for the Rhino Orphans,” explained Knott.
GivenGain is the global leader in cloud-based activism. It has joined forces with countless mass-participation and endurance events such as the upcoming local Cape Town Marathon, 947 Ride Joburg and Gone4Good as well as the ABSA Cape Epic, Cape Town Cycle Tour and Two Oceans Marathon. Internationally, GivenGain has partnered with the likes of Ireland’s Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon and the Boston Marathon, the latter seeing an increase of 68% in its fundraising efforts as a direct result.
“We mobilise fundraising for mass-participation events as well as empower individuals and communities to make an impact,” says Jannie Smith, Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at GivenGain. “We are also a non-profit. Driven by purpose, not profit, all fees are reinvested into building new tools to continue making giving easier for all,” adds Smith.
“It is extremely exciting to see a growing trend in recent years where individuals and communities create their own challenges to raise funds on GivenGain. They are really taking things into their own hands to make a difference in South Africa,” says Smith.
To support de Villiers and the Mindset Movement fundraisers this October, visit their GivenGain page and follow them on Instagram for the latest updates.
To support Kenzie Knott in raising funds for rhinos, please visit her GivenGain page.
To find out more about GivenGain as a fundraiser, charity or an event, please visit GivenGain.