Former rescuees decided to use a big adventure as an opportunity to give back to their rescuers. On their way to the tallest peak in Africa, they successfully hit their fundraising target as a thank you to the teams that saved them from previous havoc.
Mount Kilimanjaro (04 September 2023) — In an effort to stretch their efforts further than some incredible peaks along Africa’s famed mountain, Kilimanjaro climbers Lisa Pinsley and Karim Kawakibi set their sights on another target for local legends and their former rescuers, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR).
Their inspiration to lend a leg to the WSAR came after a trip to the Hex River Mountains didn’t go as planned.
Intense rain led the Witels River to flood during their trip, and soon they were in need of a few heroes.
“Our 6-day trip ended not with the expected walk out of the kloof and a celebratory burger at the Winterburg Inn in Ceres, but a helicopter rescue on day 9 of the trip, when our group of 8 including our brave 12-year-old daughter Clara was flown out of the kloof only 3km from the end but with a raging river impeding our exit,” explains Lisa.
The WSAR were an important part of this trip’s rescue efforts, and so Lisa and Karim decided that their next big adventure would happen with their rescuers in mind.
Recently, the WSAR shared that the Kilimanjaro hikers not only summited marvellous heights but also set down the flag on their fundraising goal with some spare change. All in all, Lisa and Karim’s efforts raised R75,883 so that the WSAR can keep on keeping on!
This is another note of good fundraising news for the volunteer group that serves all who find themselves in strife while exploring local trails, turns and peaks.
Setting off the first fundraising goal achieved with the WSAR in mind was Dr Nicole Evans who at the end of August, dedicated her 50th to 50kms for the rescuers.
As the WSAR do not charge for their services and is a voluntary group, every cent helps in supporting these teams who provide peace of mind for those exploring South Africa in knowing help is just a call away.