Proof of sponsorship success is in enduring concrete

HOW often have we come across appeals to support people in raising funds for good causes while they participate in some crazy feat of human endurance or adventure?

“Please sponsor me as I raise funds for poor children by climbing Mount Everest.”

Often these are expensive endeavours in and of themselves.

Consider the cost of travel and accommodation, and food and equipment. Depending on the distance to be travelled, length of stay and destination, this could amount to hundreds of thousands of rands.

What we rarely get to hear is how much was raised, how much was spent on expenses, and how much reached the ostensible intended beneficiaries.

One would be forgiven for thinking that such endeavours are ruses to tick off a bucket-list venture at the expense of well-meaning sponsors.

We are thrilled to report today on the unqualified success of such a venture we promoted in these pages last year.

Nontu Mghabi ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days to raise money for classes at a school where pupils were crammed a hundred to a room. Costs were funded separately.

The proof of her success stands not just literally in concrete, but in bricks, new desks and chairs, and full uniforms for 300 pupils.

With such transparency in reporting back, we can only wish her success in the various other fundraising activities she is involved in.

We can also only wish for such transparency in reports from other such ventures.