The Cableway Charity Challenge – 135 people, have raised nearly R850,000 for three charities by climbing the mountain once or even eleven times a day.
Cape Town, South Africa (16 May 2022) – The Cableway Charity Challenge is an annual event that sees people climbing Table Mountain, sometimes multiple times in one day, to raise funds for various organisations. Since the pandemic, the challenge was changed from a one-day event to a week-long one.
This year, 135 enthusiastic hikers have climbed up Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge, multiple times, for charity. The event ran from the 7th of May to the 15th of May 2022. Some participants were well-known trail runners, while others braved the mountain for the first time or did the hike wearing a cow costume.
Whoever the participants were, they all had one goal in mind, and that was to raise money for the three selected charities; Nature Connect, Home from Home and Ons Plek.
“For some participants, walking up the steep 760m gorge just once, is a great achievement while others sweat it out multiple times per day.
AJ Calitz, a well-known trail runner completed 11 climbs in one day. A remarkable feat especially as he started in the pouring rain at 5.30am and had to climb up and down until the cablecar commenced at 8 am.” – Tanya Townshend, Home from Home Fundraiser.
Tanya, the fundraiser from ‘Home from Home’, shared that a Cape Town scrub nurse took unpaid leave to take part in the event and was seen daily, with a walking stick in hand, wearing a pink tutu and a broad smile. She steadily climbed three times a day with an extra hike on World Nurse’s Day.
Tanya also committed to climbing the mountain a total of six times and was able to raise over R11,000 for her efforts!
“Other participant alternated between a Superman and Supercow outfit each day. The camaraderie and new friendships formed are sure to be long lasting.
The winner ascended Platteklip, (Platties as it is affectioned known) a staggering 48 times and the runner-up, an impressive 46 times.” – Tanya Townshend
Geography schoolteacher Chris Hale from Bishops Diocesan College summited the gorge 48 times!
“So proud of all our participants who dug deep to achieve their goals. This is an event not just for elite athletes but for everyone. For some, just 1 lap is a challenge where for others many, many laps seem doable. Everyone is a winner when you do it for a good cause!” – JDI Foundation
The aim was to raise R1million for the three charities. They have raised over R850 000 so far and the hikers are determined to reach their target. Let’s help them achieve this impressive goal. You can still support this cause here.