Organisers of the aQuellé Midmar Mile have set the whopping target of R5 million to raise for charity ahead of next year’s 50th anniversary event.
Each year the world’s largest open water swimming event has supported numerous charitable organisations and next year will be no different as the race looks to have a wider influence for good.
Those organisations chosen as official charities for 2023 will be announced at the annual PinkDrive Swimathon in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night which marks the official launch of the fundraising campaign.
Friday’s event will also feature two-time aQuellé Midmar Mile champion and Olympian Michelle Weber talking about her recent swim across the English Channel, where she set a record for the fastest crossing by a South African woman.
Weber will then also dive in to play her part in joining the fundraising effort for PinkDrive – which is aptly taking place during Breast Cancer Awareness month.
PinkDrive is one of the main charities that benefits from funds raised at Midmar each year. The event now features two days dedicated to charity where swimmers complete the 8-mile or 16-mile challenges. This will take place on 9-10 February next year, ahead of the main competitive events on 11-12 February.
In the last seven years that the charity challenges have been held, they have collectively raised over R14.5million.
Meanwhile, founded in 2009, PinkDrive’s cardinal purpose is to contribute meaningfully towards preventing as many people as it can, from succumbing to breast, cervical, prostate and testicular cancer.
Its primary focus is on citizens without access to reasonable care for these conditions, and who reside in areas where health services do not reach.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the aQuellé Midmar Mile charity campaign, Race Director Wayne Riddin said: “We have set ourselves and the swimmers the massive target of raising R5 million for the various charities next year and I certainly believe this is possible to achieve if we all pull together.
“We are so grateful to all the swimmers who really put in an incredible amount of effort to raise funds for the various amazing causes as we look to be a force for good in our country and we wish them all the best with their training and fundraising in the months ahead.”
Those who would like to support PinkDrive or any of the other aQuellé Midmar Mile charities can head to www.midmarmile.co.za for more information.
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