2 Athletes Take On Double Comrades Challenge, Starting Tonight
It’s a big day tomorrow for thousands of entrants (25,000 to be exact) in South Africa’s famous Comrades Marathon… but for two runners the race begins even earlier – tonight! Graham Wells (42) and Gerald Pavel (48) are lining up in Pietermaritzburg this evening to run to Durban, through the night… to then turn around […]
It’s a big day tomorrow for thousands of entrants (25,000 to be exact) in South Africa’s famous Comrades Marathon… but for two runners the race begins even earlier – tonight!
Graham Wells (42) and Gerald Pavel (48) are lining up in Pietermaritzburg this evening to run to Durban, through the night… to then turn around and run the Comrades Marathon 2019 – with the rest of the contestants – back to Pietermaritzburg in the morning!
The gentlemen from KZN will be covering a distance of 174 km in less than 26 hours, to raise funds for NiQi During (28) who was diagnosed with a terminal genetic illness called Cystic Fibrosis at only 6 months old.
NiQi, originally from Pietermaritzburg has been living at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg since January 2019 where she is waiting to receive a new set of lungs after her previous donor lungs went into rejection in December 2017.
“Since being diagnosed with chronic rejection I am on oxygen 24 hours a day and rely on a wheelchair to get around and maintain my energy levels. I’ve also been told by my doctor and psychologist that I am no longer allowed to work at all which means I’m currently unable to cover my medical expenses that cost approximately R7000 a month” says NiQi.
Graham and Gerald are no strangers to putting their bodies to the test for a good cause, having completed the Comrades marathon 6 and 7 times respectfully.
To prepare for the challenge ahead, Gerald and Graham also took part in the Deloitte Marathon, Bergville to Ladysmith, and a Route Tester back to back to raise awareness and some much-needed funds for this great cause.
While they are confident to take on the challenge, there is still an element of nerves.
“This is a much bigger challenge than we have ever taken on before. On our final preparation route run, Gerald made us all laugh saying ‘Chuck Norris hasn’t done Comrades and we are doing it twice’.
“I’ll be honest in saying we are extremely nervous but we are determined to make a difference for NiQi.” says Graham.
Joining Graham and Gerald on the Comrades route is Rhonwyn Brayley (41), Hilton Curves Owner, who will also be taking part on in the comrades to support NiQi’s treatment.
To raise funds to support NiQi with her ongoing treatment as well as support other Cystic Fibrosis patients, a fundraising campaign has been created on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy.
NiQi has pledged to donate 50% of whatever is raised to the The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to assist fellow Cystic Fibrosis patients.
“I have the utmost respect for Graham, Gerald and Rhonwyn. They say that I am selfless, but these guys are pure angels. I will be rooting for them from my hospital room, running with them in spirit, glowing with pride and happiness. I am so moved that they are doing this for me” says NiQi
The crowdfunding campaign went live on 22 January 2019 and has thus far raised R6 346.90 towards the fundraising goal of R 200 000 with contributions from 27 donors.
“The Run for NiQi campaign has touched many hearts and this is testament to NiQi’s courage and determination to keep fighting and remain positive. Gerald and I are both determined to make a difference for NiQi and also the lives of other patients awaiting organ transplants, but unfortunately we cannot do this without everyone’s love and support. Please donate to our BackaBuddy campaign to support this amazing cause.”
Donate to this cause on BackaBuddy here:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/run-for-niqi