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IRONMAN 4 the Kidz has made 2020 their year to make a significant difference

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The Help a Hero initiative is calling all heroes to help raise R1 million by the end of the year.

In 2005, nearly 16 years ago, the first full distance IRONMAN triathlon event took place in Port Elizabeth. This event has grown to become one of the most iconic races in the country as it pulses with South African spirit and pride. While this race has changed the lives of so many athletes, this day also marked the start of an initiative which has grown to become an irreplaceable asset in our local community. Former Springbok, Garth Wright, and Gary Stephenson decided that they could raise money and awareness for the children of the Eastern Cape by taking part in the first IRONMAN South Africa event. The success of their participation sparked the formation and registration of the IRONMAN 4 the Kidz Charity Trust which is a registered non-profit organization, fully BBB EE compliant, supporting 20 charities throughout South Africa and to date has distributed in excess of R21 million since inception.

IRONMAN 4 the Kidz has recently launched the “Help a Hero” campaign which encourages anyone to sign up and create their ‘Hero Link’. When you sign up, you decide which race you want to raise funds for which in turn supports the charities located in that area. You are then able to share your link across any social media or digital platform, encouraging the public to donate and support a hero. The website showcases all the various heroes as well as the totals they have raised per event as well as the event total.

“A hero does not have to be an athlete, anyone can be a hero from a supporter, to a business or a team. It’s a simple process, all you have to do is register on the website, share your hero link and you can raise funds for a specific race,” says Gary Stephenson: IRONMAN 4 the Kidz Co-founder.

In 2019 the Hero website was launched and in one year the charity was able to raise R241 000. In this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa in Buffalo City, 28 athletes registered and were actively raising funds, with a total amount of R190 000 being collected, “The goal for 2020 would be to reach a target of one million rand and in order to do this we need a much larger percentage of people to register and participate in the campaign. I think that most of our athletes are amazed by the simplicity with which the application operates and how willing people are to assist, especially when it is so simple to contribute. If we can get as few as 50 of the athletes collecting funds via the application, we could easily raise up to one million rand this year. To achieve this goal, we need help in attracting athletes to use the application, be they professionals, serious athletes or plodders like myself,” adds Stephenson.

The Help a Hero initiative offers a simple tool for any athlete to extend the hand of kindness to those less fortunate. Please register on the site by loading your profile on https://hero.ironman4thekidz.co.za/ and asking your friends, family and colleagues to help a child by contributing to your profile.

IRONMAN 4 the Kidz continues to believe that “Anything is possible” and that their yearly goals will be achieved. For more information you can visit www.ironman4thekidz.co.za

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.