Matthew Murray and Charles Raw, two passionate conservationists, will run a staggering 1,222km from Port Alfred to Cape Town in just 35 days! Why? To make a difference in the lives of 400 children who attend a school severely compromised by poor and insufficient infrastructure.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (26 November 2024) – Conservation enthusiasts Matthew Murray and Charles Raw will embark on one of their biggest challenges yet to make a difference in the lives of young children growing up in the rural areas of their home province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Inspired by their experience in the KwaNgwenya community, bordering Munywana Conservancy in northern KwaZulu-Natal, and driven by their own access to quality education growing up – Charles and Matt decided to undertake a mammoth challenge.
Together, they will run from Port Alfred to Cape Town over 35 days in February/ March 2025 to raise funds for the local Velakukhanya Primary School, where the education of over 400 children is severely compromised by poor and insufficient infrastructure. The campaign is called Running Wild.
This intense challenge covers 1,222km, equating to just shy of a marathon a day! Through this journey, they will showcase the wild beauty of South Africa, which should be celebrated and preserved – while also raising funds for the quality education of our young generation of rural South Africans.
The ambitious run comes with an equally ambitious goal to raise R2,350,000 – to build two new classrooms for the school and renovate the dilapidated administration block.
Matt and Charles are sport, adventure and running lovers, and family men. They both grew up in the Natal Midlands and were fortunate to spend much of their young years enjoying the great outdoors and the bush.
Matt became a game ranger in 2012 and has been sharing the joy of the African safari with visitors from all over the world, all the time consciously entwining the stories of South Africa’s beauty and challenges, pride and potential with the people he meets.
Charles manages a timber outlet in Howick and is the proud father of a 19-month-old daughter who sits at the heart of his actions to challenge himself for the benefit of others.
Matt’s family is due to expand with the arrival of his first child early in 2025 – despite this significant pending arrival – he and his family are devoted to taking on this epic challenge.
You can support Charles and Matt to successfully achieve this immense physical and financial challenge by donating to their GivenGain page here. They also have UK-based fundraiser and an US-based fundraiser, if you are donating from outside South Africa.
Sources: Supplied
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