A Word from our Chairman – Feb 2024
On this hot and sunny afternoon of Sunday, 18 February 2024, I take a moment to reflect on another two years of Distance For Difference (D4D) magic. By the end of this year, it will mark 20 years since D4D embarked on its journey, taking those initial small steps.
Two decades later, I am compelled to reflect on the years filled with amazing grace, thousands of kilometres made impactful by many runners, cyclists and swimmers, the wonderful partnerships with individuals and organisations, and the countless donations received. All these efforts have cumulatively made a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children.
Now more than ever, our mission remains clear – to harness our passion for sport, to bring hope and a better future to children in need. This mission would falter without you, our D4D supporters. Whether you are an individual or a CEO willing to contribute financially, someone blessed with health and energy participating in our events or setting personal challenges, a decision-maker at venues for the next GRATITUDE Run or THE500, or someone lifting us up in prayer, we cannot do it without you.
We live in a world that is more broken than ever, where the need for people willing to make a positive impact is paramount. We cannot afford to sit idly by, hoping for others to take action. If you are capable and willing, please continue to join hands with us or consider embarking on this mission with us for the first time. You will not be disappointed.
“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”
(Fred Rogers)
D4D has been incredibly blessed over the last two years, thanks to individuals like Lorraine Oberholzer, Maritza Sander, Melindi Douglas and Howard Warrington, who set lofty goals and raised significant funds.
Our 2022 The GRATITUDE Run, hosted for the third time at the stunningly beautiful Lourensford Wine Estate, was unforgettable. Despite the howling winds elsewhere in the Helderberg basin that day, we experienced a miracle of a windless morning, a record number of participants in the various events and the generous spirit of the estate’s owners and management.
(Watch the overview of the 2022 GRATITUDE Run on YouTube by searching “The GRATITUDE Run | 2022”).
In late October 2023, it was time for the 6th edition of our highly successful THE500, marking the 10-year anniversary of our first event in 2013. The support from Virgin Active Waterstone in Somerset West, along with long-time corporate partner Pragma and the involvement of Helderberg FM, made it a memorable event, raising more than R600,000.
2023 also saw the culmination of the “Class of 2023” project. Read on to discover how the generosity of individuals and organizations has begun to shape the early chapters of a promising young rugby player named Gino Cupido.
In the pages that follow, we introduce D4D’s board of directors and our beneficiaries. Please take time to read about the recent stories of those we’ve helped. It’s crucial for our donors to see the difference their contributions make. You will also find information on various fundraising initiatives and our financials, and more information on how you can lend your support.
What will the next two years bring for D4D? It’s a blank page waiting to be filled with more stories of faith, community, hope and people living significant lives rather than mere successful lives.
As I turned 50 in December 2023, I reflected on the journey since D4D began when I was 31. With possibly 25 to 30 years left to make a difference, my commitment to this quest is as strong as ever, but I cannot do it alone. I invite you to join hands with us once more, as we continue making a difference. Your involvement, whether through event participation, financial contributions, or simply spreading the word, is the fuel that powers our mission. Together, we can create a lasting legacy of change.
To conclude, I extend my deepest thanks to each one of you. Your exceptional contributions, love, and support have been the foundation of our success. Serving alongside you has been a profound privilege, witnessing the collective effort unfold.
Let’s continue moving forward, inspired by the knowledge that together, we are making a world of difference.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Warmest regards,
Chairman, Distance For Difference
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