Once a smaller ‘molehill event’, the Cableway Charity Challenge stands tall today as a generous mountain! The 2023 final results are in, with records smashed, and new heights of good made possible.
Cape Town, South Africa (23 May, 2023)— Fourteen years ago, the Cableway Charity Challenge started off as something of a molehill compared to the mountain it is today.
A single-day event for fit athletes in its first year, just 50 people crazy (and kind) enough to tackle multiple laps up Table Mountain raised over half a million rand—the first glimpse of the mountain the event would become.
Today, the Challenge has turned into one of the most generous summits. This year’s results are proof and set a new flag as the most funds raised by the event, ever.
The 2023 goal was an initial R1 million, conquered just after sunset on Race Day! With a few days spare change, excitement climbed at how much was still possible, and the final number rolled in at R1 185 169, a whole new record.
Now, this year’s beneficiaries who range from community feeders to carers of growing lives, have a lot more tangible hope on their hands.
However, some of the lesser-known heroes are the volunteers who make the magic happen. In fact, the entire event is run by 9 of them, and their only ‘salary’ is knowing they’re doing good for the community.
The People Who Made the Generous Mountain Possible
Behind the scenes, the JDI Foundation worked hard to make the mountain peak.
As Tracy le Roux of JDI told Good Things Guy, the entire event is run by volunteers, and not a single salary is paid.
She added:
“Hours are spent in preparation for this event with families and sometimes careers taking a back seat to ensure that the event runs smoothly and the necessary funds are raised.”
Still, for her, the event is something of a ‘small event’ with a big impact, from those who benefit from the funds and those who benefit from raising them, earning friendships, the feeling of giving back, and of course, the feeling pushing themselves for something greater.
Shoutouts also go to the mountain tacklers, of course. There’s Florence Groener who raised the most funds, Pasteur Nkurunziza who tackled the most laps (36) out of the men and Cigdem Yildiz with 21 laps (female). Not to mention, Aj Calitz and Ingrid Avidon who were crowned King and Queen of the Mountain, Rondebosch Boys High School who trekked 28 laps and raised R41 640, and everyone who rallied together and rooted for their racers.
What a beautiful end to the climb.
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