Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews participated in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on Sunday, running to promote his charity initiative, Soles for Souls, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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This programme aims to collect 42 200 pairs of school shoes for children in need throughout the city, with a fundraising target of R3.3 million.
Andrews completed the marathon, covering a distance of 42.2 kilometres in a time of 6:36:27 – well within the cut-off limit.
At 47 years old, he previously represented the Springboks in 23 Test matches from 2004 to 2007, achieving a record of 11 wins, 11 losses and one draw.
The Soles for Souls campaign seeks to ensure that no child in Cape Town is without proper footwear. Although specific schools for shoe distribution have not yet been identified, Andrews mentioned they are considering institutions within the Cape Metro area and the surrounding province.
‘We haven’t confirmed a handover or set a date yet,’ he noted. ‘The giving doesn’t stop on 20 October; we hope to keep the momentum going and engage more people.’
To enhance its impact, the campaign will partner with the Santa Shoebox Project, which focuses on providing gifts to underprivileged children, and the online fundraising platform GivenGain. This collaboration aims to foster long-term benefits for communities, including those involved in the Mayoral Urban Regeneration Programme (MURP).
As part of the marathon festivities, Andrews engaged with fellow runners and supporters, sharing his vision for a Cape Town where every child has the opportunity to thrive. He expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic response from the public and looked forward to continuing the campaign’s efforts beyond the marathon.
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Picture: City of Cape Town
