As the KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz heads towards its 10th year, the charity proudly handed over a cheque for R1.6 million to its 13 beneficiaries at the annual cheque presentation at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday 31 July 2013.

Championed by former Springbok scrumhalf, Garth Wright and his business partner, Gary Stephenson, the KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz has upped the ante in each year for the past nine years raising much needed funds for its children’s based charities in the Eastern Cape. This year the Charity reached their 2013 goal of R1.6 million – a significant step-up from the R11 000 raised by Wright and Stephenson in 2005, their first year.

Funds were raised through a combined effort from IRONMAN South Africa and IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa with companies sponsoring athletes at the two events. Along with the corporate sponsorships, proceeds from the Vodacom Track an Athlete SMS line, a portion of the Pritt IronKIDS entry fee athlete donations from IRONMAN South Africa, IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa, Pritt IronKIDS, Iron Girl South Africa, Vodacom Corporate Triathlon Challenge registrations and the public also contributed to the final total. This year the Track an Athlete service received over 11 000 SMSs at IRONMAN South Africa and over 10 000 SMSs at IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa.

This year 100 athletes, supported by 63 corporate sponsors, made the pledge to race under the KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz banner and help raise funds at the two events. Sixty athletes participated at IRONMAN South Africa in Nelson Mandela Bay and forty athletes participated at IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa in Buffalo City.

Never ones to rest on their laurels, Wright and Stephenson have set themselves the challenge to raise R2 million for the 10th anniversary of IRONMAN South Africa and KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz. The funds raised are ploughed back into the beneficiaries who use the much needed financial assistance to improve the lives of the children in the Eastern Cape. In addition to the financial assistance, Wright strives to inspire hope in the minds of the children to help them to aspire to a better life through something positive such as sport. Wright believes that events such as IRONMAN South Africa and IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa provide positive role models and can inspire the children to overcoming adversity.

The KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz charity wishes to thank all its valued corporate sponsors, the athletes and the public for giving of themselves to help the charity reach their goal and improve the lives of less fortunate children. To get involved with this worthwhile initiative visit www.ironman4thekidz.co.za    

It’s once again that time of the year when the KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz charity is able to spread hope to the children of the Eastern Cape. After a sterling effort from sponsors, athletes and the public the charity is proud to be handing over a total of R310 000 to its East London beneficiaries for 2013.

Now in its third year in East London, the charity has raised funds through a combined effort from 28 sponsors, 40 athletes competing in their red KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz race kit and the public’s contribution through the Track an Athlete donations.

Last year the total amount raised in East London was R270 000, this year totalling R310 000 for its East London beneficiaries, Salem Baby Centre and Child Welfare East London. The much needed financial boost assists the beneficiaries in a variety of ways with Salem Bay Centre using the funds to improve their current security, make renovations to the existing facility as well as considering a holiday school in conjunction with Child Welfare East London.

The charity, founded by Garth Wright and Gary Stephenson, continues to strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of less fortunate children not only through financial means but also through offering hope and positivity through its association with an event such as IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa.

It is through the selflessness and dedication of companies and individuals that the KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz charity is able to provide a glimmer of hope to the children in the East London region. The charity is therefore very grateful to all the valued sponsors for their contribution and willingness to be involved in the initiative, to the athletes for their sacrifice and being beacons of inspiration and to the public for their support through donations and for using the Track an Athlete service. 

Khayelethu Youth Centre is a home that seeks to rehabilitate street children and is one of the beneficiaries of the Ironman 4 the Kidz charity run by Wright Surveillance Directors Garth Wright and Gary Stephenson. Until recently the home was based in Central, Port Elizabeth.

Largely thanks to the funding received from the Ironman for the Kidz, Khayelethu was able to purchase a new facility located on a large plot of land in Kragga Kamma (an outer suburbs of Port Elizabeth). This provides an ideal  environment where the children are far removed from any potential negative influences, and will be able to thrive under the dedicated and committed care they receive from the home's staff.

Boys from the home have excelled in Karate, and there are now 8 children that have achieved black belt status.

Garth Wright launched the Ironman 4 the Kidz charity drive for the 2013 Ironman this morning at a media breakfast held at the Garden Court Hotel, Port Elizabeth.

Garth highlighted the importance of the contribution made by the Ironman 4 the Kidz charity to local PE youth care & children at risk centre's, not only from a funding perspective, but also how the event can motivate the children - and encourage them to hope for a better future. 

He explained how the Ironman's motto of "Anything is possible" can provide inspiration to these underprivileged children - and shared some success stories of how it already has.

Would you like to contribute to this worthy cause? <click here> to find out more....

Thanks to the incredible support received from athletes, sponsors the public and all those who let their fingers do the walking on their cell phones by registering an athlete’s Race number on the Track an athlete system, we are proud to announce that the Ironman 4 the Kidz charity initiative has successfully raised R310 000 for our beneficiaries in East London.

Ironman 4 the Kidz is a charity started by Wright Surveillance directors Garth Wright & Gary Stephenson to benefit children at risk in the Eastern Cape. The charity now raises funds for multiple beneficiaries through the sponsorship of athletes at both the half and full Ironman events held in East London and PE respectively.

The target for 2013 is R1.6 million.

Wright Surveillance Directors Garth Wright and Gary Stephenson featured in the local sports newspaper Sport Elizabeth, which covered their R1.5 million cheque hand-over to children charities in the Eastern Cape. The money was raised through their Ironman 4 the Kidz charity. You can read the article online here.

The KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz continues to go from strength to strength this year amassing a total of R1.509 million which was officially handed over at the cheque presentation at the Garden Court Kings Beach in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday 1 August.
 
The event was presented by trustees and founders, Garth Wright and Gary Stephenson - directors at Wright Surveillance. It was attended by among others trustee, Thuli Mtila, Carmen Sporke from title sponsor KFC, Algoa FM DJ and Sport Elizabeth editor Daron Mann, Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa title sponsor, Spec-Savers CEO Bryan Dowley and representatives from some of the beneficiaries.
 
The charity, which was founded in 2005 by Ex-Springbok scrumhalf Garth Wright and his business partner Gary Stephenson, has continued to push the boundaries in their attempt to aid less fortunate children in the Eastern Cape region. This year the charity managed to exceed their target of R1.5 million in a combined effort from corporate sponsorship at the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa, the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa, the Vodacom Track an Athlete service and direct donations from athletes and the public.
 
Speaking at the presentation, Wright highlighted the four initiatives involved. These being the corporate sponsorship of athletes, the Springboks Cooking for Charity event, the Drive for Tri initiative driven by French athlete, Nicolas Gracco de Lay and the Virgin Active – Sport Elizabeth sports equipment collection drive.
 
Wright said: “The key is the children. They are the diamonds that need to be polished. We want to give them love, care but most importantly hope. One of the main reasons we started this initiative is to give the children hope.”
 
“We chose Ironman because Ironman is tough. Ironman athletes are hard working, dedicated, successful people and we want the kids to identify with them and the Ironman mantra that “Anything is Possible.”
No fewer than 65 athletes competed under the banner of the KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz at this year’s Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa, the toughest in the event’s history. The athletes were sponsored by 40 corporate sponsors who saw fit to generously give back to the community through sport. Together with the athletes who competed at the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa in January, the total number of charity athletes is nearly 100.
 
A phenomenal feat considering that Wright and Stephenson raised R11 000 back in 2005 for the EP Children’s Home. Today, 12 charities benefit from the work done by the KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz. “Having increased the number of beneficiaries to 12 this year is beyond our wildest imagination,” said Stephenson.
 
The money raised will be distributed among the 12 children’s based NPO’s in the Nelson Mandela Bay region providing much needed monetary assistance that will go towards making a meaningful difference in the lives of the children.
 
Daron Mann, who has been actively driving the sport equipment collection identified the KFC Ironman for the Kidz as one of the biggest charities in the Eastern Cape and was excited for Sport Elizabeth to get involved this year. He thanked Virgin Active for the idea and for driving the initiative through their association with Ironman South Africa.
 
Wright and Stephenson, both Ironman athletes, have dedicated their time and effort to grow the Ironman 4 the Kidz charity and in so doing provide hope for those whose plight might seem hopeless. The charity shows no signs of slowing down, setting a target of R1.6 million for 2013 despite the tough economic climate. These individuals have proven that with a little hard work and dedication, great things can be achieved.  

At this years sold out 70.3 event, the KFC Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity directors Garth Wright & Gary Stephenson, together with support from Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 SA, KFC, Iron Girl South Africa and the Vodacom Track an Athlete were able to surpass last year’s total securing R270 000 00 for the children in the Host city.

The cheque presentation took place in East London today and the event was attended by the BC Exec Mayor - Zukiswa Ncitha, Trustees – Garth Wright, Paul Wolff, Gary Stephenson, beneficiaries, various sponsors and athletes.

The Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity was started by Wright Surveillance directors Garth Wright & Gary Stephenson in 2005, and raises funds for children's charities each year at the half and full ironman events held in East London and Port Elizabeth respectively.

Looking to be part of the 2013 charity drive?
Contact julia@ironman4thekidz.co.za. Sponsorship request letters are available on request. 

The athletes who competed in this Sundays Ironman on behalf of the Ironman 4 the Kidz charity really had their work cut out for them. Conditions were the toughest yet for an Ironman, with gale force winds from the start, and driving rain in the evening. Everyone that finished this tough day should be known as Supermen, not just Ironmen!

A wonderful effort saw R1. 509 million being raised for worthy childrens charities & orphanages. Thanks to all the sponsored athletes who took part, and the generous sponsors themselves. This could not have been achieved without you.

Incredible that a charity started 7 years ago by Wright Directors Garth and Gary has grown into a fantastic cause that really makes a difference in the lives of a large number of underprivileged children.