More than 40 charities will benefit from a unique collaborative charity event being held in the waters of Cape Town’s iconic V&A Waterfront this Saturday.
The Great Optimist Race is a highlight of the Cape Town International Boat Show, which takes place from 18-20 October. The race will see celebrities, captains of industry and medical survivors – many of whom are completely new to sailing — racing to raise funds for various NGOs and charities.
Springbok rugby player Scarra Ntubeni will be sailing for the Newborns Trust, for which he is an ambassador. Singer Craig Lucas has chosen the Justice Desk, while fellow artist Majozi will be in the Paedspal boat.
Double lung transplant survivor Tanya Bothma will be raising funds for organ donation, and amputee Caleb Swanepoel will sail for the Little Optimist Trust.
For Tanya Bothma, the event provides an opportunity for her to raise funds for the Groote Schuur Lung Transplant Unit, and create awareness about organ and tissue donation.
“I’m very nervous but I keep telling myself that I’m doing this for an amazing cause. I just need to keep that goal in mind!” – says Tanya
And not-so-tiny rugby star Scarra Ntubeni will be squeezing himself into a very tiny boat in order to raise funds for the Newborns Trust, based at Groote Schuur Hospital.
“At the Newborns Trust we believe that nothing is impossible, We see the tiniest babies fighting against all odds to survive. Scarra is the perfect example of that message — a 104kg rugby player sailing a children’s Optimist may seem impossible but he’s out to show it can be done.” – says Amy Mac Iver from Newborns Trust
The Great Optimist Race, which is the brainchild of charity campaigner Greg Bertish, aims to raise R200 000 for the various charities involved, and will also provide sailing therapy sessions for children from Reach for a Dream, 9 Miles Project and Lawhill Maritime Society during the course of the boat show. To raise funds the organisation has partnered with donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, for anyone wanting to support their favourite celebrity or charity at the event. Since the launch of the campaign more than R174 109.68 has been raised with contributions from 295 donors.
“Not only will we be giving skills and inspiration to marginalised children, we’ll also be teaching our celebrities and survivors how to sail these tiny little boats, all in the name of charity,” says Bertish.
Support ‘The Great Optimist Race’ on BackaBuddy by donating here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/groups/greatoptimistrace
Follow the Great Optimist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelittleoptimist/
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