Heading into its 5th year, the Rhino Peak Challenge, a 21km trail run up the iconic Rhino Peak in the Southern Drakensberg, will kick off on December 12 2020 to raise vital funds for South Africa’s endangered species.
This unique conservation fundraiser has raised over R1.5m for its beneficiaries over the years, which include Wildlife ACT, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
Traditionally, the RPC consisted of 3 invited groups of 12 influential people from the worlds of Conservation, Sport, Business and Entertainment to take part in the Challenge. Each person was tasked with sourcing pledges from their respective networks and these pledges were made prior to the event and paid after the event. The format was very successful and resulted in over R1.5m being raised for our beneficiaries over the past 4 years.
However, event organiser, Spurgeon Flemington of Running Man Adventures, opened the event to 36 members of the broader public to be a part of the Rhino Peak Challenge this year. Needing to submit motivations to take part, each runner has committed to raising a minimum of R10 000 as part of their participation. All participants have been listed on the Rhino Peak Challenge website.
Watch the Rhino Peak Challenge 2020 video:
‘The response this year from people wanting to support and participate has been overwhelming – something that is great to see during what has been a tough year for most. This 21km trail and route is one of the most challenging in South Africa, with a vertical climb of over 1km and summiting over 3000 metres above sea level. It attracts some of the most passionate conservation heroes and I look forward to hosting them all in December,’ said Spurgeon Flemington, event organiser.
The Challenge this year coincides with Wildlife ACT’s 12 year anniversary – an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the organisation’s conservation impact in South Africa. The achievements and reflections, laid out in the full Impact Report, highlight what dedicated and passionate individuals can achieve when pulling together with a common vision. In this spirit, the NGO’s entire leadership team and founders will take on the 21 km climb of Rhino Peak to raise awareness and funds in what has been a tough year for many.
‘It is not often that we get to show our appreciation for and highlight the dedication of the incredible conservationists that work with us at Wildlife ACT. We, as the Leadership Team, are dedicating this Challenge to our teams who go above and beyond for the species that they work to save. We call on everyone out there to show their support for these passionate conservationists by making a pledge and backing us as we toil up Rhino Peak!’ said Dr, Simon Morgan, Wildlife ACT Co-founder.
Wildlife ACT has achieved a number of milestones over the past 12 years, including:
- 209 508 monitoring and field hours in vehicles, in the air, and on foot.
- 9 different species monitored
- Over 3500 volunteers
- 815 tracking devices fitted
- Over 800 animals relocated
- Rescuing, and treating over 145 snared or wounded animals.
But Wildlife ACT’s impact does not stop there. Their educational Kids Conservation Camps, in-school conservation lessons, conservation ambassador club programme and community game drives, have reached over 82,000 local children and adults – inspiring a new generation of conservationists.
Pledge your support of the Wildlife ACT Leadership Team and the brave and passionate ambassadors who will take on the 21km climb for South Africa’s wildlife heritage.
As an incentive Wildlife ACT are offering anyone donating over $250 (or R3,750) a free sign up to one of their online conservation courses on Teachable (https://the-wildlife-act-training-academy.teachable.com/).
In addition, there will be Lucky Draw prizes for all Wildlife ACT donations, which include:
- 3 night stay for 4 people on a Wildlife ACT endangered species monitoring project,
- 2 nights for 2 at Camissa House in Cape Town (https://www.camissahouse.com/), before end March 2021
- A weekend away for 2 people in a cabin at Mtentu Lodge (http://mtentulodge.co.za/) in the Transkei.
- 4 Free online Wildlife ACT Conservation courses
For more information:
- Wildlife ACT is proud to release their impact report that highlights the work that has been done over the last 12 years – please view it here: https://wildlifeact.com/celebrating-12-years-of-conservation-impact/
- Watch the short video that showcases their work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxyH_psX-1Y
For more information and to view the participants click here or to donate click here.
Pictures: Nicola Gerrard
