A few years back, Rudy van Dieman – the man who has his mindset on climbing Table Mountain every day for a year, was struck by inspiration.
He saw what his hero Andrew Patterson achieved through his 365 uBuntu Climbs challenge which raised almost R1 Million to support Habitat for Humanity, One Heart and The Sunflower Fund.
In 2022, the 26-year-old Rudy believes it’s his turn.
The challenge
Achieving 365 summits up Table Mountain sounds like a monumental task to most of us, but the heart of the initiative is bigger than that for Rudy. He wants to show youngsters the power of a strong work ethic, and demonstrate that they can achieve anything they set their hearts and minds to.
“What youngsters in our society need today, is a good role model, to show them that there are opportunities outside of drugs. crime and gangsterism and drugs. I hope my challenge will be a beacon of hope for those in disadvantaged communities” Says Rudy. His goal is to raise R1 million for youths in need.
The climber and his dream
Rudy has worked with several charities since matriculating high school in 2014, is focused this year on uplifting a new organisation, Angels SA, located in his hometown of Mitchells Plain, Cape Town. With a crowdfunding campaign launched on Backabuddy, He hopes that the R1 million can be used by Angels SA to purchase a safe house for children.
“In Mitchells Plain, there are only three known orphanages, two are for babies until five years, and after that, children are placed in safe houses for three months then move from home to house until they find families to keep them longer. With the safe house, we want to create a stable life and environment for children, where they can stay until the age of 18, before entering the job market” – says Rudy
“Rudy first contacted me in 2020 to tell me he wanted to tackle this challenge. Climbing Table Mountain every day for a year is a mammoth undertaking — but once I heard why he wanted to do this, I had absolute faith in him. Rudy is an incredible man with big dreams and an even bigger heart. I’m incredibly proud of him and for supporting him with every step he climbs.” – says Andrew.
The current figures
Rudy has raised almost R5000 so fan and completed 44 climbs covering a distance of over 100 km. He’s been joined by more than 15 individuals supporting his cause.
Determined to make a difference
Working full-time, living with epilepsy, and struggling financially, in conjunction with the physical demands of his challenge, has been difficult but no less rewarding says Rudy, who is determined to keep going.
“Just as life is difficult for so many people, this challenge hasn’t been a walk in the park, but I remain positive, and through God’s grace I am finding balance. I am putting one foot in front of the other, concentrating on the important things in life and trying my best to create positive change” – says Rudy.
How to support
For more info on Rudy’s journey and to support his cause, click here.
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“Begging in Cape Town has numbed my empathy” says local woman
Picture: Supplied