From the news desk

Vinnige Fanie takes on NY Marathon

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VOC presenter, Irafaan ‘Vinnige Fanie’ Abrahams will soon begin the final leg of a five year initiative geared towards raising R1 million for underprivileged schools. The Sports Hub host, an avid runner, will jet off the ‘Big Apple’ to participate in the worlds’ largest and most prestigious long-distance race, The New York Marathon.

Abraham’s Million Rand Challenge was initiated in 2011 with the goal of assisting schools in the city’s more destitute communities, as well as benefiting one ‘beneficiary organisation’ each year. The project has however already surpassed its initial object, ‘Fanie’ and his team having already raised a massive R1.5 million thus far.

This year around, the main beneficiary of the project will be Islamic Relief South Africa (IRSA), which has been extremely active in poverty relief across the city.

“We really need our listeners to come out, because in supporting the project they will actually be supporting Islamic Relief,” said Abrahams.

On a personal level, Abrahams has been selected as the South African flag-bearer at the ‘Parade of Nations’ opening ceremony, which will occur two days prior to the marathon.

“It’s just crazy times in the sense that, I’ve never been a professional runner. The running came in putting your body on the line to serve a good cause, and here we find ourselves surpassing what we had set out,” he explained.

Apart from the Million Rand Challenge, this year has also seen the educator-by-trade tackle the ‘Ultimate Challenge 2015’, which includes completing the Argus Cycle Tour, the Two Oceans and Comrades Ultra Marathons, as well as the Boston and New York Marathons within the span of a year. This would all be to the benefit of IRSA. Amazingly, Abrahams finds himself on the final leg of this gruelling challenge as well.

“It’s the end maybe of the marathon project, but when you have helped so many organisations and you get that feeling of gratitude, and seeing how you’ve assisted schools that have never had the funding to do anything, it just motivates you to do more,” he stated.

‘Vinnige Fanie’ will be competing in this year’s New York Marathon, which takes place on the 1st November.

For more information on how you can donate towards IRSA, contact the organisation’s toll-free number, 0800 111 898. For details on how to donate to the Million Rand Challenge, contact the VOC studios at 021 442 3500. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)


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