Graham Wells, a 46-year-old resident of Pelham, Pietermaritzburg, is taking on his 7th Comrades Marathon barefoot on June 11, 2023. He’s running to raise funds for the “Run for a Roof” campaign, a cause that he has been a part of since its inception in 2021.
Pictured above: Graham Wells
This initiative, started by One Life Foundation, has raised over R40,000 to help raise awareness of homelessness in the city. Graham’s fundraising goal is R200,000, which he hopes will help the newly-formed PMB Homeless Network to provide a safe, clean, and warm environment for homeless people in the city. While this won’t be the first homeless shelter in Pietermaritzburg, it will be the first of its kind, as individuals will have access to a range of services.
For Graham, who has worked in social housing in the UK, homelessness is a cause close to his heart. He understands that homelessness is a pandemic that affects people all over the world and that it’s a crisis that needs to be addressed.
His decision to run barefoot for the Comrades Marathon is an expression of his commitment to making a difference in the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness.
Pictured above: Graham Wells
“I’m a firm believer that running medals don’t mean anything unless you have made a difference for someone else,” says Graham.
Graham’s journey will begin at 5:30 am in Pietermaritzburg and end at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban. He’ll be running to raise funds for the PMB Homeless Network on crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, to help provide shelter for the homeless. The PMB Homeless Network is a coalition of like-minded organizations that includes Msunduzi Municipality, Business Fighting Crime, local churches, charities, social service providers, activists, and volunteers from Pietermaritzburg.
Together, they are committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of people experiencing homelessness in the city.
Graham’s fundraising efforts will go towards restoring and repairing a large building that the local municipality has secured for the PMB Homeless Network. The organization aims to provide legal and social aid, educational support, job training, health services, and basic human needs to the homeless in the city. Through this initiative, they hope to create replicable models that can be expanded beyond Pietermaritzburg.
Pictured above: Graham and his hospital prayer group met Mrs Mofokeng who is fighting cancer, in her home in Underberg.
As Graham trains for his barefoot Comrades Marathon, he is reminded of the homeless people he sees every day. He understands their plight and the difficult situation they find themselves in. Graham hopes to raise awareness of this crisis and bring much-needed attention to the PMB Homeless Network’s mission. With the help of the community, they can create a safe and welcoming shelter for homeless people in Pietermaritzburg.
“I have a dream to see a safe, friendly, people-centred shelter, in Pietermaritzburg, where people of any race or background can be welcomed and empowered to make something better of themselves. By coming together to fund this project we have an opportunity to change the face of homelessness in our City and restore dignity to those society has left behind. Everyone deserves kindness and a second chance,” says Graham.
Join Graham and the PMB Homeless Network in their mission to restore dignity and provide a second chance for homeless people. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a difference. Let’s come together to make a positive change in the lives of those who need it most.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R320 Million.
Melkbosstrand – Marcelle Viljoen (60), a longstanding resident of the Ouskip Caravan Resort community for the past 15 years, has taken a proactive step to support families devastated by a recent fire. Viljoen has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, appealing for assistance in rebuilding the lives of those affected.
On May 15, 2023, tragedy struck when a raging fire engulfed the homes of nine permanent residents at Ouskip Caravan Resort in Melkbosstrand. The families lost everything they owned, leaving them in a state of shock and despair.
The primary objective of the campaign is to secure funds for the acquisition of vital raw materials and items, including, but not limited to, second-hand caravans, tents, awnings, electrical equipment, and household items such as beds, fridges, stoves, and gas appliances, which will help the families rebuild their lives and regain a sense of stability amidst the devastation.
VIDEO: Catherine Du Plooy from BackaBuddy speaks to Marcelle and residents affected by the fires
Since the launch of the campaign over R7000 has been raised to support the families towards their target of R100 000.
VIDEO: Catherine Du Plooy from BackaBuddy speaks to Jake, from one of the families who lost their home
The Melkbos Rotary Club has kindly taken over the management and distribution of the Backabuddy campaign funding.
The Melkbos Rotary Club is in direct contact with the Ouskip fire victims and will ensure that donors witness firsthand, how their contributions are utilized, and the direct impact they have on the lives of the affected families.
Transparency and accountability are key priorities and comprehensive records will be maintained and made available to all contributors on request.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R400 Million.
Cindy Duplessis (42), a resident of Krugersdorp, along with a group of friends, has launched a heartwarming crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to help Roelien Homan, a beloved member of the community, purchase new hearing aids.
Roelien, a well-known property professional with a deep passion for animals, lost her hearing after battling COVID-19 in 2021.
Roelien (54), is widely respected and loved for her unwavering dedication to her work and her selfless nature. Her kind heart and unyielding compassion for others, coupled with her vivacious personality, have endeared her to everyone she meets.
Cindy, who has known Roelien for approximately seven years, emphasised the profound impact Roelien has had on the lives of those around her, describing her as Godly, fearless, loving, kind, selfless, compassionate, funny, ambitious, adventurous, and courageous.
Courageous Roelien needs new hearing aids.
The crowdfunding campaign aims to raise R82,760, the necessary funds to help Roelien acquire new hearing aids, a crucial requirement for her daily life.
The hearing aids, specifically formulated for her varying levels of hearing loss in both ears, are Artificial Intelligent bilateral hearing aids from Oticon. These advanced devices assist Roelien’s brain in formulating sounds into words and provide her with the ability to engage in various activities, such as listening to voice notes, speaking on the phone, and attending seminars with large crowds, as they cancel out background noises.
Currently, the BackaBuddycampaign has raised over R45 100, thanks to the generosity of supporters who have rallied behind Roelien’s cause. However, there is still a significant amount to be raised.
The absence of functional hearing aids has severely impacted Roelien’s livelihood and ability to carry out her professional responsibilities. The once vibrant and lively individual now finds herself in a state of fear, loneliness, and uncertainty.
“The new hearing aids will give Roelien her life back where she will be part of conversations, live a life without fear, anxiety, and loneliness. At the moment, Roelien is very depressed, lonely, scared, and paranoid due to not hearing what goes on around her,” Cindy shared.
“This has been a very emotional journey for her and everyone in her life, including her friends, as we don’t always understand and we don’t know what it feels like to be deaf. We are desperately seeking assistance to give my friend her smile and happiness back.”
In a heartfelt plea to the community, Cindy and her friends implore the public to step forward and become Roelien’s heroes by generously contributing to her cause, which holds the power to restore her to a life filled with hope and joy.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R400 Million.
Manila, Philippines – Zelda Carlamarie Eberson (40), a single mother from South Africa, and her 17-year-old son, Jordan, find themselves in a dire situation and make a desperate plea for help to return home.
After facing a series of challenges and hardships during their stay in the Philippines, Zelda, who battles with mental illness including depression and severe anxiety, embarked on this journey three years ago with the hope of earning money online as a freelancer and providing a better life for herself and her son.
Unfortunately, their plans took a devastating turn when Zelda’s online ventures failed to generate the expected income. As a result, the family found themselves struggling to make ends meet, facing constant health issues, malnutrition, and even hospitalization due to Dengue Fever.
Adding to their troubles, they have exceeded the three-year legal limit for staying in the Philippines, making them overstayers and placing them at risk of arrest, separation, and indefinite detention in a detainee facility under alarming conditions, pending deportation.
Zelda and her son, Jordan want nothing more than to return home to South Africa
Despite Zelda’s numerous attempts to seek assistance from government offices over the past year, her pleas have gone unanswered, leaving her and her son in a state of desperation.
Their primary concern now is to return to their familiar home country, where Zelda can receive the necessary support for her mental health and Jordan can find safety and stability.
“We are living in constant fear and panic,” Zelda shares. “I can hardly afford rent and food here, let alone pay the fines and fees required for us to leave the Philippines voluntarily. We are begging for help to avoid the horrifying fate of being trapped in dangerous prisons for years, like other foreigners who have faced similar circumstances.”
To get back home to her mom, who lives in Nelspruit, Zelda has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy that has raised over R1500 so far.
Zelda has outlined a plan for utilizing any assistance received to ensure their safe return to South Africa.
The funds will be allocated as follows:
Legal Expenses: Cover fines, legal fees, and associated costs related to their current legal situation in the Philippines.
Visa Fees: Pay for the necessary visa fees required for their travel back to South Africa.
Airline Tickets: Purchase two one-way plane tickets from Manila to Johannesburg, enabling them to return home safely.
Transportation Assistance: Cover transportation costs for visits to the embassy and immigration offices in Manila, facilitating the necessary paperwork for their departure.
Accommodation: Seek affordable rental options for a room in Manila during their stay, ensuring a temporary place to reside until their departure.
Food and Essentials: Allocate funds for basic necessities, such as low-cost food items like noodles, bread, and other essential supplies, to sustain them during their stay in Manila.
Airport Transportation: Arrange transportation from the airport upon their arrival in South Africa.
Dental Treatment: Schedule a visit to a dentist in South Africa to address Jordan’s urgent dental needs, including an extraction procedure.
The plea from Zelda and Jordan is a cry for help, emphasizing their desire to avoid a bleak future in detainment and seek solace and stability back in their homeland. Their hope lies in the kindness and generosity of individuals who can lend a helping hand during their time of desperation.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R290 Million.
Melkbosstrand – Marcelle Viljoen, a longstanding member of the Ouskip Caravan Resort community for the past nine years, has taken a proactive step to support three families devastated by a recent fire. Viljoen has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, appealing for assistance in rebuilding the lives of those affected.
On May 15, 2023, tragedy struck when a raging fire engulfed the homes of nine permanent residents at Ouskip Caravan Resort in Melkbosstrand. The families lost everything they owned, leaving them in a state of shock and despair. Determined to make a difference, Viljoen initiated the campaign to provide the families with the necessary resources for a fresh start.
The primary objective of the campaign is to secure funds for the acquisition of vital raw materials. These materials, including second-hand caravans, tents, awnings, electrical installations, and household items such as beds, fridges, stoves, and gas appliances, will help the families rebuild their lives and regain a sense of stability amidst the devastation.
Transparency and accountability are key priorities for Viljoen and the campaign organizers. To ensure donor confidence, comprehensive financial statements and records will be made available to all contributors. This transparency will enable donors to witness firsthand how their contributions are utilized and the direct impact they have on the lives of the affected families.
Additionally, each of the three families will personally express their gratitude and acknowledgement for every donation received, highlighting the profound impact of community support during challenging times.
No donation is too small, and every contribution will be immensely appreciated. By joining forces and displaying solidarity, individuals can make a significant impact on the lives of the Ouskip Fire Victims. Together, we can help these families rebuild their homes and instil hope for a brighter future.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R290 Million.
