A creative agency based in Johannesburg is using the Loeries as a chance to raise funds for education in South Africa, by running 700km (to the Loeries).
Johannesburg, South Africa – The Loeries – an awards ceremony for the advertising and brand communications industry that is considered one of the highest accolades in the creative industry – has taken place in Durban for a few years now and one advertising agency based in Joburg decided to use the travelling distance to get there, as a catalyst for good!
“The Loeries promotes and supports creativity by helping marketers, agencies and consumers appreciate the value of fresh thinking, innovative ideas and outstanding execution.” – Loeries website.
The celebrations and parties hosted during the awards weekend are some of the most coveted events in the industry, but Joe Public decided to do a little good before popping the champagne! The staff collectively decided to raise funds for education by running a relay race from Johannesburg to Durban in 2018, and have continued with the tradition for the 2019 awards as well!
“At Joe Public United (JPU) were proud of our agency’s purpose, which is the growth of our people, clients, and country.
Last year, when a team of Joe Public joggers decided to run from Johannesburg to the Loerie Awards in Durban to raise funds for One School at a Time, it seemed like a crazy but fairly typical Joe Public thing to do. And thanks to the generous support of our partners, our first-ever One Stride at a Time initiative was a success,” – Tarryn Pickup, Joe Public Marketing Manager.
Having kicked off on the 20th to 23rd August this year, the team once again tackled the gruelling 700km journey, this time upping the stakes by racing alongside Durban-based digital agency, Gorilla, in a bid to raise R1 million for One School at a Time!
One School at a Time is Joe Public’s non-profit organisation, and CSI initiative focused on creating a proper solution for education in South Africa. It currently supports two non-fee-paying township schools, in Soweto and Diepsloot respectively. One of the biggest challenges in no-fee schools is sustaining the quality of education in the face of ever-increasing learner numbers, and so, funds raised are used to provide learners with the resources and support programmes needed to stay on track to achieve a quality matric.
In 2018 these programmes successfully yielded matric pass rates of 87% and 88% respectively, with bachelor pass rates of 48% and 50%, and over 110 distinctions across both schools.
Every ounce of support makes a difference. Whether our learners aspire to be doctors, engineers, or entrepreneurs, contributions will help each learner get a step closer to fulfilling their potential in creating a brighter future for South Africa.
Here’s to the growth of our country, One Stride at a Time!
To make a donation and support this initiative, visit their BackaBuddy page here.