Matthew Sledge, a 51-year-old resident of Kensington, Johannesburg, completed an extraordinary challenge at the upcoming Mandela Day Houghton 10km run on July 16th. This year’s event held immense significance as it marked the 10th anniversary of the passing of the revered leader, Nelson Mandela. Driven by his unwavering enthusiasm to support the remarkable work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sledge aimed to make waves with his unique fundraising efforts.
While some may have perceived a 10km run as routine, Sledge decided to take his participation to an entirely new level. In a bold and daring move, he committed to completing the run dressed in nothing but a speedo.
What’s more, he undertook this endeavor on what was expected to be the coldest day of the year, ensuring that his presence will be an unforgettable spectacle, capturing the attention of onlookers and inspiring them to contribute to the cause.
Pictured above: Matthew Sledge
When asked about the inspiration behind this extraordinary campaign, Sledge expressed his deep admiration for the significance of Mandela Day and the opportunity it presents to raise funds. He revealed that the idea to don a speedo came from his partner, Belinda, who challenged him to make his participation even more memorable.
In a generous gesture, Hollard, the provider of the speedo, pledged R10,000 to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation in recognition of Sledge’s courageous participation.
To lend purpose to his frosty adventure and support the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sledge launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. He called on individuals to sponsor his run and make donations to the Foundation.
“My passion for Mandela Day stems from honoring Nelson Mandela’s legacy and my desire to make a difference in someone else’s life,” said Matthew.
Pictured above: Matthew Sledge
Highlighting his choice to support the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sledge emphasized the organization’s unwavering commitment to education as a fundamental pillar.
Quoting Mandela, he stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Sledge hoped that the funds raised will contribute to the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to educate and empower others.
Since the launch of his campaign, Matthew has raised over R32 000 towards his fundraising target of R50 000.
Supporters can still contribute to Sledge’s campaign by visiting the BackaBuddy website or by using Snapscan for donations. Additionally, Sledge extended an invitation to fellow runners to join him in supporting the Nelson Mandela Foundation by registering for the Mandela Day Houghton Run through the official website.
As the Mandela Day Houghton 10km run drew near, all eyes were on Matthew Sledge as he fearlessly took on the challenge in his speedo, fueled by his determination to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy and make a positive impact in the lives of others.
An update message from Matthew:
Happy Mandela Day and a heartfelt thank you to all of the wonderfully generous people – you know who you are – who supported my fundraiser and helped me raise R32,000 for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
You’ll be happy to hear I completed my 10km run as promised, wearing nothing but my Hollard Daredevil Run purple speedo, in a respectable 50 minutes, spurred on by the fantastic race day atmosphere.
It was a very special event and in spite of the chilly winter air there was a real buzz on the start line and all the way along the route.
Thank you to the Mandela Foundation for a fun day, to Vida e Cafe who sponsored my coffee at the finish line and a big shout out to Hollard who generously donated R10,000 to CANSA and The Prostate Cancer Foundation in my name.
For more information or to support Matthew Sledge’s campaign, please visit:
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BackaBuddy campaign:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/matthew-sledge-5635040553115510073
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Snapscan donation:
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/Matthew_Sledge
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Register for the Mandela Day Houghton Run:
https://www.nelsonmandela.org/activities/entry/mandela-day-houghton-run
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