Hentie Nortjé has been doing the Midmar Mile for the last 18 years and every year for the last 6 years he has crowdfunded for various charities.
Tshwane, South Africa – Every year, Hentie dedicates his Midmar Mile to a charity in need of a boost. This year he is raising funds for the elderly. Hentie lost his mother last year and knew that was the cause he should support for his 19th swim. When he started out, he was raising around R5,000 and year on year he has done more. Last year he got over R19,000 for a shelter that caters to vulnerable people.
Below is a list of causes Hentie has raised funds for over the last 6 years.
- Carel Du Toit Centre for children with hearing disabilities in 2013
- Pathways-Pretoria School for multi disabled children in 2014
- Pula Difate Primary School in 2015
- Democratic Alliance in 2016
- SA Guide Dogs Association in 2017
- Harmonie Oord, a shelter for vulnerable people in 2018
“I have lost my mother on 28 July 2018 at the age of 81. She lived for the last 16 years of her life in a Retirement Village in Rustenburg in the North West Province. She was not well since May 2017 and her medical condition deteriorated over a period of 15 months. It was during this time that I came to realise that the senior citizens in our country are indeed vulnerable.
I have also learned that there are wonderful people at hospitals and Old Age Homes who really care and dedicate their lives to look after the elderly. It is because of this reason that I have decided to raise funds for Residentia Sunnyside Old Age Home, by swimming my 19th consecutive Midmar Mile.”
Hentie is a blind long-distance swimmer, a practising attorney and a Councillor in the City of Tshwane Metro. He hopes that his efforts will inspire more people to help the elderly this year.
“I trust that this effort will also inspire others to assist to improve the lives of our senior citizens in one way or another.”
You can help Hentie reach his goal by donating to his crowdfund here.
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