Join the JumpStart Challenge to assist unemployed youth
Funds raised through the virtual challenge support a charity drive to assist unemployed youth to break the cycle of poverty.
THE Mr Price Foundation’s JumpStart Challenge 2023 is going live on February 27, and there’s still time to enter and join the league of South African sporting heroes contributing to the cause.
Held from February 27 to March 5, every rand raised supports Mr Price Foundation’s JumpStart programme in order for them to empower unemployed youth. The JumpStart Challenge is a hybrid event with options to take part both virtually and physically. Entrants can ride, run or walk a range of distances, from a modest 3km up to a testing 100km. This year’s challenge includes a hero theme – to indicate that youth are heroes when they use their new skills from JumpStart to obtain opportunities.
Among the sporting heroes backing the cause are former Sharks rugby star Charl McLeod, SA Rugby legends, Wayne Fyvie and Jeremy Thomson, and former Protea cricketer Jonty Rhodes.
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“Sport and physical activity gave us our jumpstart in life, and hopefully through this, we can help give youth their start! I am looking forward to the JumpStart Challenge,” said McLeod.
Youth unemployment impacts many South Africans.
“The JumpStart programme creates hope for thousands of youth as we look to connect them to skills training and work opportunities in the greater retail value chain. In the past five years, 22 000 youth have been empowered by JumpStart training,” said Karen Wells, head of Mr Price Foundation.
On March 4–5, the big physical event takes place at Holla Trails in Sugar Rush Park, Ballito. Mountain bike events are on March 4, and run/walk events are on March. The virtual challenge is from February 27 to March 5.
For Jeremy Thomson, the JumpStart Challenge is all about uplifting youth.
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“I’m doing the JumpStart Challenge to give our youth a chance to believe that they can achieve their dreams. If they keep pushing to gain new skills through a programme like JumpStart, there is a real possibility they can open doors to employment and break the cycle of poverty and inequality,” said Thomson.
An exciting new event is launching at the JumpStart Challenge: the Glide and Ride Cup. This maiden event on March 4 is for boys and girls aged two-and-a-half to four-and-a-half and will see little ones zooming around a safe track at Holla Trails on balance bikes.
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