THE NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) flag was flying high on Saturday as members of the Richards Bay station participated in the annual walk up Sani Pass to raise funds for CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation).
Now in its eighth year, the 16km walk up and down Sani Pass, from the South African border post to the top of the pass and back, this year attracted about 400 participants, from children to pensioners.
NSRI Richards Bay members have made it their mission to support this worthy cause over the years and, being of the rescue mindset, find themselves helping fellow walkers along the way.
‘As well as three of our members participating in the walk, we had a team seconding and family joining in too,’ said NSRI Richards Bay spokesperson Brynn Gerricke.
‘There was a fire on the mountainside this year, so we completed only the up walk and spent the night at the top.
‘We finished our trip on Sunday when we took a short ride on the newly tarred road to the highest point in Lesotho, where we took a group photo.’
With no organised start and finish, the day is very relaxed, giving participants the opportunity to admire the scenery up and down the mountain.
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Walkers must start between 7 and 9am and complete the walk by 4pm.
There are regular backup vehicles and the vehicle with a NSRI volunteer drove a girl to the summit, as she had difficulty breathing after passing the fire.
‘We also assisted a biker who was unable to get his bike to the top, and was fatigued as a result,’ said Gerricke.
‘Overall, it was a day well spent with people from all walks of life, for a common cause.’
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