Boks raise over R1.1m to help with hunger alleviation

SPRINGBOK captain Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby’s director of rugby, thanked South Africans for answering the Boks’ call to help raise funds to help with hunger alleviation amid the Covid-19 pandemic, as the names of the 44 winners were announced on a live Facebook broadcast yesterday.

The Boks’ #StrongerTogether for R32-12 fundraising campaign finished on a high note last Friday, with a total of 31 928 raffle tickets sold, while donations of close to R80 000 were received for a total raised of just over R1.1million. The two charities identified as part of the project – Gift of the Givers and Food Forward SA – received over R430 000 each.

There was also a Schools Challenge, driven by Boys for Action. The prize – a “visit” by the Webb Ellis Cup – was won by St John’s College in Johannesburg for selling the most tickets.

“We asked South Africans to answer the call and to help the Springboks raise funds for poverty relief and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved during this campaign,” said Erasmus, who coached the Boks to 2019 Rugby World success in

Japan.

“The players didn’t hesitate when I asked them to contribute some of their most prized personal World Cup items, and a number of them took part in events to help raise awareness for the project. I want to thank them, as well as their fellow South Africans for their generosity.

“This unique campaign works closely with Food Forward SA and Gift of the Givers, both of whom are making a huge difference in the lives of ordinary South Africans all over the country, with a helping hand where possible.”