Two Oceans Marathon races to help the helpless

SEVERAL organisations are set to receive support as Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon participants work hard to raise funds in a different type of race taking place on the event's official online fund-raising platform.

With the backing of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Initiative charity programme, participants are using the GivenGain fund-raising platform to raise money for charity.

So far, organisations focused on health and children along with animal shelters, are leading the nonprofit pack in donations.

Rare Diseases South Africa sits at the top of the leaderboard, with a heroic solo effort by local supporter Cailey Low, whose Two Oceans Half Marathon is a personal mission for her.

Low has already raised R22 350, which is more than her initial fundraising target of R1 500, thanks to generous donors.

“Rare diseases not only affect the person who is living with the disease, but it affects everyone in their lives. My daughter will never go for a run in the forest as I love to do; she'll never know what it's like to sing and dance with joy.

“Rare Diseases South Africa are close to my heart as they advocate for people like her,” said Low.

Another hero advocating for a good cause is Neil Watson, who is aiming to support children and dogs at the same time by raising funds for The Underdog Project, an organisation which brings together vulnerable children and untrained shelter dogs for group therapy.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to give back to others by supporting and raising awareness for The Underdog Project, which does amazing work with youth and shelter dogs.

“It has been great to see the response from people helping me to raise money for The Underdog Project,” said Watson.

He has so far raised R4 250 and is well on his way to his fund-raising goal of R5 000. His aim is to finish the race in under 90 minutes, which is at a pace of 4 minutes and 15 seconds.

Across 11 individual races to date, Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon runners have raised more than R2.5 million in total for charity.

To find a fund-raiser to support in the 2022 Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon or Ultra Marathon, or donate to a supported charity directly, visit https://www.givengain. com/t/tomi/