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Three runners, 350miles and R175 000 raised! |
 Imagine running 570kms or 350miles in eight days. Three social runners from Round Table Southern Africa took on the challenge to raise the much needed funds and awareness for The Sunflower Fund allowing them to recruit and tissue type caring, committed and healthy bone marrow stem cell donors of all ethnic groups. The more donors on the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) the more hope children and young adults diagnosed with leukaemia have of finding their life saving donor match.
The challenge started on the 5th March and ended on the 12th March 2010, comprising of 570kms of running from Nelspruit to JHB. Each day was challenging for the 3 runners but they never complained and always kept a smile on their faces. During the campaign, Tarryn Corlett, National Fundraiser for The Sunflower Fund, created awareness by talking at schools and sending press releases to the media on route. Let’s not forget about the 350Miles4Marrow crew who worked so hard in the placing and taking down of banners, consistently being ready with water and in general being responsible for creating an entertaining atmosphere throughout the campaign. Everyday had a special element in it that just made every second of being on the road worthwhile.
The 50km stretch from Pretoria to the finish at Melrose Arch in JHB took place on the final day bringing the total kilometres covered to 570kms or 350miles. The participants, Guy Crichton, Danie du Preez and Riaan van der Walt, were received by a warm welcome at the finish from Round Table and The Sunflower Fund sponsors, volunteers and supporters.
Round Table Southern Africa together with The Sunflower Fund managed to raise R175 000 to go towards the recruitment of new, healthy bone marrow stem cell donors onto the SABMR to help save the lives of patients suffering from leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders.
We would like to thank our sponsors: BHP Billiton, Dust-A-Side, Nedbank, Melrose Arch, Stay Easy by Southern Sun and Puma for their generous contributions and support.
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Mhulzi Orphans visit the 350Miles4Marrow runners |
 Mhulzi Home Base Care Centre welcomed the 350Miles4Marrow runners as they entered the Middelburg Golf club early this afternoon and continued to run with them to the finish line.
This was one of the highlights on the 350Miles4Marrow journey. An emotional, yet truly inspiring experience was felt by all present at the finish line when 50 of the Aids orphans ran with the Round Table runners.
The Sunflower Fund Bandanas were handed out to all the children as well as a packed lunches prepared by Round Tablers in the Middelburg region.
Special mention must be given to 2 extraordinary men; Frans Range, secretary of Mhluzi Home Base Care Centre in Middelburg and Willie Swanepool, acting regional general chairman of Nedbank and treasurer of the orphanage were also there to show their support and make this day possible.
Every Round Table member that we have met has devoted their time and energy to make this campaign a success, not to mention making a day out for the Aids orphans a wonderful moment in time for them to remember.
We received another cheque for R7000 from the Middelburg 126 Round Tablers.
This is what the 350Miles4Marrow campaign is all about; making a difference in peoples’ lives by supporting The Sunflowers Funds main objective of recruiting more bone marrow stem cell donors onto the SABMR in order to make life possible for those children and adults suffering from leukaemia.
Tarryn Corlett, National Fundaraiser and PR Coordinator of The Sunflower Fund commented that “today was a real life changing experience, and a moment she will never forget and always appreciate”.
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Reyno Park High has the fever! |
On the 8th March, Tarryn Corlett, National PR for The Sunflower Fund and Shane Wright, a Middelburg Round Tabler, went to visit Reyno Park High in Witbank, whilst the runners continued on with their run from Bethyl to Middelburg. We were met with such an enthusiastic pupils who were eager to listen to the talk we were giving them about becoming a bone marrow donor and the incredible work Round Table does.
Reyno Park sent our pledge forms for the 350Miles4Marrow campaign, home with all the pupils to see if they could help us reach the R500 000 goal. We will be collecting the cheque from them on Wednesday 10th March.
The Sunflower Fund and Round Table Southern Africa would like to thank you for inviting us to your school and for taking such a great interest in our cause.
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More money raised for the testing of bone marrow donors! |
 The Sunflower Fund and Round Table’s 350Miles4Marrow began this morning (5th March) in Nelspruit, outside the Nedbank in town. Banners went up, bandanas were handed out to passing supporters and at 11am, the 3 runners embarked on their 40km run to Barberton Golf Club.
Needless to say, they finished their first leg in good time and were definitely looking hungry for more. Round Table Barberton 67 held a day/night golf day upon our arrival which raised R5000 for the 350Miles4Marrow campaign. All money raised will go to The Sunflower Fund to assist in the tissue typing costs associated with the recruitment of new bone marrow stem cell donors in order to save the lives of those patients suffering from Leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders.
The Sunflower Fund is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and they are in high hopes of increasing the South African Bone Marrow Registry from 64 500 to 100 000 bone marrow stem cell donors. But they need your help to do this. For more information on becoming a donor please call 0800 12 10 82 or click here. |
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350Miles4Marrow is off to a great start! |
 Nelspruit 49 and White River 64 Round Tablers kicked off The Sunflower Fund and Round Table 350Miles4Marrow with R20 500 donation raised at a golf day sponsored by Nedbank, which was held at Matumi Golf Estate, Nelspruit yesterday (04th March 2010)
Three members of Round Table Southern Africa, Danie du Preez, Guy Crichton and Riaan van der Walt began their 350Miles4Marrow journey, sponsored BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa, from Nelspruit to Melrose Arch (JHB) on Friday 05th March. The first day ending at the Barberton Golf Club.
All money raised from the 350Miles4Marrow fundraising initiative will be utilised in paying for tissue typing costs associated in recruiting potential bone marrow stem cell donors in order to save the lives of those patients suffering from leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders. |
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Three runners, 350miles in eight days to generate hope… |
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Imagine running 570kms or 350miles in eight days. Three social runners from The Round Table Southern Africa are taking on the challenge to raise much needed funds and awareness for The Sunflower Fund.
They are aiming to raise R500 000 through their 350Miles4Marrow Campaign, in turn allowing The Sunflower Fund to recruit and tissue type 500 caring, committed and healthy bone marrow stem cell donors of all ethnic groups. The more donors on the South African Bone Marrow Registry the more hope children and young adults diagnosed with leukaemia have of finding their life saving donor match.
The challenge, which starts on the 5th March and ends on the 12th March 2010, comprises of 50kms on day one from Nelspruit to Barberton, 80kms on day two from Barberton to Badplaas, another 80kms the following day from Warburton to Ermelo, and then an amazing 100kms from Ermelo to Secunda on day four. Day five will see the runners making their way from Bethal to Middleburg, a distance of 90kms. Day six is their shortest day – 30kms from Middleburg to Witbank – in preparation for the 90km trek from Witbank to Pretoria on the second to last day. The 50km stretch from Pretoria to Sandton takes place on the final day bringing the total kilometres covered to 570kms or 350miles. The participants, Guy Crichton, Danie du Preez and Riaan van der Walt, are hoping to receive a warm welcome at the finish from Round Table and The Sunflower Fund sponsors, volunteers and supporters.
Should you wish to sponsor the runners per mile or simply make a donation to The Sunflower Fund, please use the following bank account:
350 Miles4Marrow
Nedbank
Branch Code: 158550
Account Nr: 1585515272
Reference: name and surname
Email deposit slip to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For more information phone Guy on 083 320 2753.
 Click here to download 350 Miles4Marrow Pledge Form 177.93 Kb
Please have a look at our Blog and follow this exciting campaign: www.350miles4marrow.blogspot.com |
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350Miles4Marrow: Participants |
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Guy Crichton is a Tabler from Middelburg 126 in Mpumalanga and started running in July 2008 completing his first Comrades Marathon in 2009. He completed one Loskop ultra marathon, three marathons and seven half marathons in the build up to the Comrades. In his younger days, Guy participated in many triathlons and cycling events such as The Argus and Herald Cycle Tours. The reason he joined Table was to experience one of his core beliefs - to give back to those less fortunate than himself as well as to network and grow through meeting and socialising with people of different cultures.
Guy is running the 350 Miles4Marrow Challenge as he believes suffering a bit by running an obscure distance along an obscure route will encourage South Africans to support a wonderful cause like The Sunflower Fund and ultimately those suffering from leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders.
“With the participation of our main sponsor BHP Billiton, sub sponsors, various Round Table Clubs and public donations, we hope the Challenge raises in excess of half a million rand for The Sunflower Fund”, says Guy.
Besides the main purpose of the run, to raise funds for Charity, Guy is also looking forward to the challenge of the unknown, and getting through the hard times with his fellow runners and crew whom he regards as extraordinary individuals.
Guy is married to Zelda and they have one son, Andrew, born in August 2009. Guy is the Operations Manager for Dust-A-Side, and enjoys anything that involves being outdoors, including camping, exercising and socialising with friends and family.
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Danie Du Preez is an Honorary Member of Witbank 57, only the second Honorary Member in 51 years. He is 40 years old, which is past the age limit set by Round Table, but he has been invited to remain on as a member due to his overwhelming commitment to community upliftment.
Danie has been running for some time and although he has done two Comrades Marathons they were eight years apart. He has participated in various ultra marathons, marathons and half marathons over the years, and also completed the Argus and the Jock cycle tours.
Danie is running the 350Miles4Marrow to be part of a challenge that will benefit others less fortunate than himself. Danie has a ‘can do it!’ attitude and when the idea of the run was mentioned he simply replied, ‘We can do this’.
“We could save the lives of leukaemia sufferers by building the South African Bone Marrow Registry which is my key motivation for participating”, explains Danie.
Danie has two children, Kayla and Pieter, and has a well established law firm in Witbank. Danie enjoys socialising with friends and family, and meeting new people. He enjoys the outdoors and exercising.
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Riaan van der Walt is a Tabler from Somerset East 113 and took up running in 1999 after he stopped playing rugby. Thus far he has completed 10 Comrades Marathons, 2 IronMan Triathlons (3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run) and numerous other ultra marathons, marathons and half marathons.
The reason he joined Round Table was to reach out to those less fortunate, and to be of service to his community and fellow man in need. He is doing the 350Miles4Marrow Challenge because he is blessed with good health and through being healthy he can do something for those who cannot.
“The privilege of being able to run, while others suffering with life threatening blood disorders like leukaemia are not able to enjoy the simple pleasure of participating in sport, will keep me going during the tough times along the arduous 350 mile route”, says Riaan.
He aims, with the support of his two fellow runners and other Tablers, to raise a substantial amount of money and exposure for The Sunflower Fund. He is looking forward to completing the 350 miles, which will be a great personal achievement, as well as enjoying the camaraderie along the way.
He is married to Rianie and they have three boys, Zean (11), Janco (5) and Wandre (2). He is the manager of a family printing and newspaper business which services the towns of Somerset East, Bedford, Adelaide, Fort Beaufort, Cradock and Middelburg (EC). Riaan likes the outdoors, exercising, and socialising with friends and family around a braai.
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BECSA Supports 350 Miles4Marrow Campaign |
 BECSA is proud to announce its support for the Round Table 350 Miles4Marrow Campaign which aims to raise R500 000 to assist the Sunflower Fund in recruiting healthy bone marrow stem cell donors from all ethnic groups.
The 350 Miles4Marrow campaign kicks off on 5 March 2010 and will see three social runners from Round Table Southern Africa running from Nelspruit to Johannesburg, which is a distance of 350miles (570 km’s) in eight days.
The route these guys will be running has been planned carefully so that they pass through the Witbank / Middelburg area and make a few interesting stops along their way.
During the handover of a R 75 000 cheque by BECSA, Wilco Uys, Vice President: Operations said, “I hope that our sponsorship, which will be used for the day-to-day spending by the runners will assist them in generating the much needed funds and awareness for this worthy cause.” |
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