Dear Hikers & Friends
It’s a week since we gathered and it’s quite incredible to think that it is all over! The 9th Big5Hike, done and dusted!This year we had fewer hikers but our stories were shared and with the final pledges are coming in and we will have raised over R1m (nett) for education.
THANK YOU! This is huge. It helps with our sustainability and means we can keep making a significant contribution in this region.
PHOTOS We are so grateful to Grant Pitcher, (www.grantpitcher.com grant@grantpitcher.com ) our photographer.
It’s a big ask racing over peaks and down gaps to capture the day but he always returns smiling!Please see photos (Grant’s and a few extras added) from this year’s event: www.dropbox.com/sh/4lila72o96wvwuc/AADm-tI9NJ3uTTV127npVQPTa?dl=0
MANY THANKS Thank you to our sponsors that make a huge contribution to this event. Many have been in it for the long haul and it means the world to us! Total GatewayMelville Douglas ClucasGray Hollard Dezzo Roofing Mooney Ford Out in Africa SORO Colenbrander To our suppliers and friends that continue to support:Mugg & Bean Harrismith Wimpy Bergview Harrismith Sparkle Treats Harrismith Meander Fine Wines VDP Distributors Spier Wine Farm [LINKSHIELD PROTECTED] Ataraxia And to all our incredible workers on on the ground; our Cavern team , the Royal Drakensberg staff, the porters, the paramedic and the greater Cavern family who always step in to assist.
RAFFLE WINNER Congratulations go to Tim Keegan who won 3 nights for 2 in a Superior Suite at The Cavern. Tim also receives 2 full body massages at the Forest Retreat and a couple of lovely wines from our Underground Cellar. We look forward to welcoming him to The Cavern soon!
SAVE THE DATE 2024 is just around the corner and it is our final round. Our Big5Hike will take place on Saturday the 18th May 2024 . The 2024 fundraising target is R10 000 per hiker. The demand is high but hikers from 2023 will get preference and a non-refundable deposit of R3000 will need to be paid by 30th January to secure your spot. FINAL WORD To each person who left us after the weekend, you are the warriors that are helping make a significant difference in South Africa. Not only have you touched the lives of 102 children at Royal Drakensberg but you have helped us continue our work through the Khanyisela Project and BabyBoost. Together we impact more than 1000 children and over 50 women from our community. Together this is amaZizi reads. We are doing our best to change that terrible statistic that says that 80% of SA children in Grade 4 cannot read with understanding. Here’s to 2024! The final round! Best wishes,Megan & the teamMegan Bedingham Royal Drakensberg Education Trust Royal Drakensberg Primary: +27 76 088 1496 Khanyisela: +27 83 661 6276 Web: www.royal-drakensberg.org.za Follow us on Facebook
