From My Saddle – Discerning readers urged to support Phil Waudby and contribute to the Rhino cause

I have been writing this column since September 2012 and this week’s contribution is the 490th. The initial mandate given me was to write about local sport, but I was also told that I had carte blanche to write about anything that comes to mind.

The column heading, From My Saddle, arose as it is from sitting on my bike, usually on my own, that my thoughts end up in the Rising Sun newspaper. Last week I received an email that has persuaded me for once, to go a different route in this week’s column.

The email was sent to me by a person who had read last week’s article in which I mentioned our recent visit to the Kruger National Park, and the concern about the apparent lack of rhinos, possibly as a result of poaching.

The email was from an extreme athlete, Phil Waudby, who participates in sponsored runs for various charities such as CHOC (Children’s Haematology Oncology Clinics); Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and the OSCAP (Outraged SA Citizens Against Poaching).

To date he has raised more than R250 000 for charities. Phil Waudby is concerned over the plight of the rhino and his 2019 project will be “running” for OSCAP.

The race is the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon (KAEM). This endurance event is a 250 km self-sufficient, multistage race over 7 days with daily distances ranging from 28 to 80 km (day/night section). The athletes must carry their own supplies (food, sleeping bag, compulsory safety and survival equipment) over rugged terrain with the average temperature of 45ºC.

This year the race is from 10 to 20 October. The race is flighted seven times on Super Sport later this during December.

In 2011 Waudby took on his greatest challenge and achievement under the Sunflower Fund banner by running from Benoni to the Augrabies Falls National Park, the traditional start of this desert marathon.

The distance of 933 km was covered in 12 days. Phil had one rest day afterwards for the compulsory check-in and medical for the race. The very next day he then went on to compete, and complete, the 250 km race! And we thought the 89 kms of the Comrades Marathon is gruelling!

Under this banner he raised R 130,000 If ever there was a needy charity this is it.

The rhino population is being reduced at a frightening rate, so much so, that the details of the remaining rhinos left in the Kruger National Park are no longer disclosed to the public, which, of course, includes the poachers.

Phil is appealing for sponsors and, should anyone reading this column be moved to make a contribution, I would suggest that they contact Phil at his email address ([email protected]) and request a pledge form.

Alternatively email me and I will forward a pledge form to you. Remember that floods are caused by drops of rain, so any amount would be welcome to assist in the fight against the poaching of rhinos.

It is hoped that a healthy response will be forthcoming from the discerning readers of the Rising Sun.

For further information look up the website – www.kaem.co.za.