Sipho Marima has dedicated himself to run 10km under 40 minutes in order to raise funds for the children at Nyeleti Children’s Home in Putfontein.
Marima will be running the 10km challenge for charity on October 11 at the Fat Cats Race.
He has three runners, Daniel Mosomane, Bongani Bilankulu and Lizzy Ramadimetja, who will be running beside him on the day to make sure they push him to achieve this goal.
The 29-year-old said he visited the home after his friend brought it to his attention and the children’s living conditions tore his heart into pieces.
“Hearing stories from children about how they run out of food and electricity, among other things, was a heartbreaking experience and seeing my children happy made me want to also put a smile on their faces,” he said.
“I started collecting warm clothes for them in July and it was amazing how just receiving one jersey could put a smile on a child’s face.”
He is aiming to raise R10 000 for the home, which will go towards buying food and other essentials for the home and children.
The home shelters and feeds 30 children between the ages of one to 17.
The Lyndhurst resident uses sport to raise funds for different causes and organisations. He is a professional runner and cyclist.
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He said he has been preparing for this challenge with the help of his couch Mathews Matsetela, Dr Jacqui Bunge, Asanthe Sports Therapy and his wife, Boipelo Marima, who makes sure that he eats properly and also trains with him.
“What keeps me going the most is the support from everyone around me and the running community, they have been amazing.
“I believe in making myself uncomfortable for the comfort of others. I believe we need to inspire each other to offer a helping hand, to believe in ourselves, and to believe in others.
“Challenges make us stronger and better. Plus, when you do it for a great cause, it is most definitely worth it,” he said.
Marima said what fulfills him about giving back is going to bed knowing that he has helped someone.
“We are brought into this world to live with one another and help each other. I always ask myself this question every day, ‘Did you help someone today?’, if the answer is yes then I feel fulfilled,” said Marima.
Nyeleti Mkhonto, director of Nyeleti Children’s Home, said the money that will be raised through this challenge will make things a bit easier for them.
The non-profit organisation has been struggling financially to sustain its operational costs and is also finding it hard to secure sponsors.
Mkhonto said they have been running low on food, electricity and they can’t afford transport costs for the children as they have now returned to school.
“On some days, the children don’t go to school because we can’t afford to pay their transport and it is unsafe for them to walk to school,” she said.
She pleads with the residents to donate any food, clothes, toiletries, or money so they can buy prepaid electricity and pay for the children’s transport to school.
Marima also urges the community to help him raise funds for the home by donating as little as R5 on his social media platforms, Sipho_Marima or visit https://www.sport4change.co.za/campaign/19/homerun10kmchallenge-for-charity.
Alternatively, contact Mkhonto on 061 991 3873.
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