Highbury boys raise funds for rhinos
A cheque of R100 602 was handed to a grateful Dr Roelie Kloppers from Wildlands Conservation Trust.
THERE’S definitely an air of the Forrest Gump about this tale, but there’s far more to it.
Paddy Collins taught at Highbury Preparatory School for more than 30 years and wanted a way to combine his three great passions; running, his students and north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.
What began in 2009 with just six school boys has now become an annual adventure, involving 22 boys from Highbury along with many parents, educators and support vehicles this year.
ALSO READ: Highbury keeps track of rhino challenge
Now retired, Collins returned to Highbury to run his 11th annual Maputuland Challenge alongside 22 boys.
Each boy ran between 35km and 55km along unforgiving sandy tracks in St Lucia.
“This was a wonderful experience for our boys as they were challenged and learned vital life skills, especially as they are making the transition from boyhood to manhood,” said Highbury educator, Ashleigh Osborn.
Highbury is proud of the team of Grade 7 boys who completed the Maputuland Challenge and together, raised R100 602 for the school’s adopted rhinos, Baleka and Tai.
Contributing to the welfare and conservation of rhinos has been one of Highbury’s priorities for the last decade.
A cheque was handed to a grateful Dr Roelie Kloppers from Wildlands on Tuesday, 8 October. The boys fund-raised at school, selling popcorn and sweet treats at break for more than five weeks and raffled a big jar of sweets as well.
“Thanks to the Highbury community and staff they raised R12 350 as part of these sales,” said Osborn.
The Maputuland Challenge boys also did two shadow shifts at John Dory’s Waterfall and in return, they were given 10 per cent of the profits from these evenings.
They continued to fund-raise in their own personal capacity with the assistance of their parents and family members and ended up breaking the donation record by more than R20 000.
“Congratulations to the 22 sand warriors of 2019. Each one a champion,” said Collins.
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