Runner Sipho Marima raised R11 300 for Little Eden Society after he completed his tenth marathon since taking up the sport.
Earlier this year the Edenglen Virgin Active manager set out to raise R10 000 for the society after he attended its annual fete, and learnt more about the work it does.
He had wanted to raise the funds by the time he completed the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on September 15.
Marima said the day before the marathon, he had not met the R10 000 target, and had to post on social media making an appeal for assistance.
“I was blown away by the support I received from the people.”
On Mandela Day, Marima and several other community members ran to create awareness and to raise donations for the society.
“The Mandela Day run really sparked everything. At several of the races I participated in, runners messaged me to give me donations for the society.”
“There are times in life when you feel you are alone, but during my time helping Little Eden I have never felt alone.”
Marima said the funds were put in an account which can only be accessed by the society.
Following his success with the Little Eden initiative, Marima partnered with tuberculosis (TB) survivor and activist, Neal Stacey.
“When Stacey sent me a message, I was really surprised and happy.”
He said the pair decided to host a project in the upcoming months to collect seeds.
The seeds will be used to create a vegetable garden at the society’s Edenvale property.
Besides running for Little Eden, Marima dedicated the Cape Town Marathon to creating awareness about gender-based violence.
He took the decision after he heard about athletes Seromo Mofokeng and Sabie Mashing running barefoot for the Run4Her campaign.
The campaign aims to raise awareness for gender-based violence, and encourages victims to speak out.
Marima said the campaign hit closer home as his daughter had gone through a traumatic experience last year.
“When I saw what the women were doing, I asked myself why I wasn’t doing anything to help. I am a husband, a father and a brother.”
Marima’s first stint at running barefoot took place during the Fred Morrison Half Marathon’s last kilometre stretch.
At the Cape Town Marathon, Marima raised the ante, and ran the last two kilometres barefoot.
“We as men have a role to play in creating a better society.”
“We need to try and protect women where we can.”
