The 10,000km Cycling and Running Challenge for Salvazione Primary School

Salvazione Primary School’s champion James Lewis, 45, has committed to complete 10,000km in 2024 (7,000km cycling and 3,000km running) with the intention of raising R1,150,000 to pay for 50 underprivileged kids’ school fees to attend Salvazione school in 2025.

10,000km in one year is certainly not a light commitment to make. By April, Lewis had reached over 4,000km, showing his utter determination in completing the challenge timeously. A board member of Salvazione Primary School, James Lewis has already travelled all over the Gauteng province and in the Natal Midlands, either by foot or with his loyal bicycle.

Having done no exercise in years, James entered a challenging race last year and since then had put all his efforts into exercising to make a change. He is the kind of athlete who puts a huge amount of committed energy, discipline, and effort into anything that matters to him. He is certainly able to do the hardest yards and come out on top!

Lewis who initiated the challenge earlier this year says: “Every child deserves a quality education to unlock their full potential. However, educational inequalities still persist today in South Africa. Giving learners access to Salvazione School can positively impact learners’ lives, realise better futures, and light a path to success. I have chosen to make a difference in the lives of young people around me through effort. This challenge requires many hours and days of commitment and grit. Making an impact comes down to the effort one puts in rather than money on its own.”

In an unexpected turn of events, James Lewis fell seriously ill during April and May, spending two months on and off in hospital, and was unable to work out and continue his progress. Since the news broke out, we have been overwhelmed by the support of the community of athletes who have joined our Strava group and ran or cycled kilometres towards the challenge. We are looking to grow this network worldwide and create a longer term fundraising plan. Join our Strava group https://strava.app.link/mbodfXLIuIb

Salvazione Primary School, a co-educational school based in Mayfair West, was founded in 1991 to provide education for students from the Slovo Park informal settlement. The children from these underprivileged communities face financial and personal obstacles due to unemployment, poverty, and ill health in their communities that keep them from attending local schools.

Salvazione Primary School welcomes 220 children from Grade R to Grade 7. The school is guided and motivated by its vision and mission which is to ensure that the children enrolled at the school receive a quality education in a loving and caring environment that makes a difference for all children.

The situation at Salvazione Primary School is unique in that only circa 5% of the School’s income is raised from student’s fees given the personal circumstances of our learners’ families. It is therefore imperative that we raise funds to cover our expenses.

The aim of this amazing venture is to bring awareness to Salvazione Primary School and encourage people and companies to join in, pledge and therefore support the access to a quality education and unlock the full potential of the youth of tomorrow.

James Lewis’ fundraising efforts have received great support with pledges and donations totalling circa R250,000, including generous donations from Brooks Running SA and Sling Cycles. Donate and support the 10,000km challenge on GivenGain Exercise for kids’ school fees: 10,000km challenge (givengain.com) With your help and support we can positively impact young lives, realise better futures, and light a path to success.

For enquiry, contact: Eleonore Godfroy | fundraising@salvazione.org | 071 565 4445

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