FIFTEEN Highbury boys, along with a party of nine adult supporters including retired Highbury teacher Paddy Collins, took part in the 2017 Maputuland Challenge to raise funds for Wildlands Conservation Trust.
The Highbury team ran in stages from Bhanga Nek to Sodwana Bay in the north eastern corner of KwaZulu-Natal and raised R75 000.
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The route along which the event is held is 65kms of soft sand, being a 4×4 track joining places of incredible beauty and unspoilt vistas.
It makes for a scenic but challenging run.
Each boy outdid himself in terms of determination, grit and fortitude to achieve his personal goal.
After the event, Paddy Collins said, “The intensity of the challenge creates a camaraderie in a new and different way. Appreciating a beautiful part of our country and the joy of running was certainly a highlight.”
Highbury marketing assistant, Jacqui Maurice, said the school is incredibly proud of the boys who took part and is grateful to all the individuals and corporate sponsors who rallied together to support the cause.
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“While this event was hugely beneficial to each boy who participated, the ultimate motivation was to raise funds for Highbury’s two adopted rhinos, Tai and Baleka.”
Maurice said contributing to the welfare and conservation of two rhinos has been one of Highbury’s priorities for the past nine years and the boys each fund-raised independently and gathered a record amount of R75 000 together.
A cheque was handed to a grateful Dave Gilroy, from Wildlands Conservation Trust, on Sunday, 22 October said the funds go exclusively to the employment of rangers and trackers to protect the beautiful rhinos.
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