Meiring De Clercq, a 33-year-old sports enthusiast from Nelspruit, had his life changed forever in 2019 when a reckless taxi driver caused him to crash into a stationary truck while training for the Ironman 70.3.
Pictured above: Meiring and his wife, Imogen
The accident left him with a broken back, ribs, sternum, and concussion, and he was later told by doctors that he was paralysed and would never walk again.
Despite the devastating news, Meiring remains a dedicated husband to his wife, Imogen, and father to his daughter, Mireyah, and has a positive outlook on life.
Pictured above: Meiring and Imogen, and their daughter Mireyah.
“The accident taught me that your life can change with the snap of a finger. Do not take any moment for granted because you never know when something can happen that will change your life forever.”
“It also taught me that you must grab every opportunity for adventure, you can choose to fall down in a hole and grieve what happened to you or you can stand up (excuse the pun) and grab every opportunity you can.” – says Meiring
Getting back in the game
Sports have always played a vital role in Meiring’s life, and he represented his school and national teams in various sports, including tennis, athletics, rugby, and golf. While he has been unable to physically participate in golf, his favourite sport, since the accident, he still enjoys going on tours with his friends.
Pictured above: Meiring with his friends on their annual golf tour
Thanks to a specialised wheelchair designed for paraplegics from Germany, Meiring may soon have the chance to play golf again. The electric chair will allow him to stand in a stable position while using his arms and hands to swing his golf clubs freely.
To raise funds for the wheelchair, Meiring’s family and golfing friends have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, which has already raised over R67 000 towards his fundraising target of R725,000.
Meiring is overjoyed at the prospect of being able to play golf again, a sport that has always brought him immense joy.
“Golf was a massive part of my life. With the help of this wheelchair, I will finally be able to participate in golf tours again, and not only cheer from the sidelines. It means that I can once again participate in local and national amateur golf tournaments and possibly one day play in the adaptive US OPEN. It also means that my dad and I can play our favorite sport together again,” – says Meiring
Pictured above: Meiring playing golf before his accident
Meiring’s story is a reminder that life can change in an instant and that we should cherish every moment. It is also a testament to the power of hope, perseverance, and the love and support of family and friends.
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 R390 Million.
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Nisha Varghese, a 31-year-old woman with cerebral palsy from East London, is on a mission to make a positive impact on the lives of abandoned babies.
Pictured above: Nisha Varghese
With her 32nd birthday just around the corner (25 March), Nisha has set out to raise funds for Breath of Life, an organization run by Restore Trust in East London that provides a safe and loving home for vulnerable babies who are waiting to be adopted or reunited with their biological families.
As a dedicated volunteer at Breath of Life since 2018, Nisha has witnessed first-hand the importance of this organization’s work. The home provides babies with a stable and warm environment, with House Mom, Abigail, House Dad, Christo, and House Siblings, Milo and Petal.
Nisha believes that every baby deserves a fair start in life, regardless of their circumstances.
“I cherish every moment spent with these little ones, knowing that I’m making a difference in their lives,” she says.
Pictured above: Nisha Varghese
To help provide the necessary care and resources to support these vulnerable babies on their journey towards a brighter future, Nisha has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. The campaign aims to raise R32,000, and since its launch, over R20,000 has already been raised. These funds will go towards providing the home with essential supplies, including 3968 nappies, 7936 wet wipes, 28kgs of formula, 25 bottles of baby body wash, and 10 bottles of baby shampoo used each month.
Join Nisha in her mission to give these vulnerable babies a fighting chance.
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 R390 Million.
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KZN-based non-profit, Trulife, is taking a public stand against gender-based violence with their “WeSeeYou” awareness campaign – where runners across the world have signed up to complete 100 kilometers in 10 days.
Now in its second year running, the campaign will launch on Human Rights Day – the 21st of March. The aim is to increase awareness of Gender-Based Violence – and its many nefarious forms – that are rife in South Africa. This is done in two ways; by challenging each participant’s physical limitations as a constant reminder of drawing near to a victim’s pain, and secondly, to raise funds for Trulife’s nationwide GBV awareness programme in schools on BackaBuddy.
Colin Edmonds, founder and director of Trulife, explained the concept behind their WeSeeYou campaign like this;
“GBV is a silent, behind-closed-doors killer. The WeSeeYou movement is about shouting aloud to both victims and perpetrators that we’re bringing this issue into the light. The campaign hopes to send a strong message of support to victims of GBV – one where their fellow South Africans and global community stand with them in solidarity, making a choice to ‘run, so they don’t have to’.”
The ultimate goal is awareness and prevention, and so the funds generated from the campaign go directly towards Trulife’s annual schools campaign, helping the organisation reach more schools with GBV Awareness training. In 2023, Trulife hopes to raise over R600 000 to expand their project into Gauteng and the Western Cape, visiting over 120 schools from April 2023 – November 2023.
How does the challenge work?
Participants may enter as an individual or a team (with a max of ten members) on the Trulife website – https://trulife.org.za/weseeyou.
The registration fee is R300 which includes one WeSeeYou branded running shirt.
Teams may split the 100km amongst themselves as long as they collectively complete the target distance by day 10 of the challenge.
Each registered individual or team will have a profile created on crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy with a fundraising goal of R5 000. For every R5000 raised, Trulife match the donation through private funding to take GBV training into a new school.
Runners are encouraged to join the WeSeeYou club on Strava to log their runs and receive motivation from their fellow participants. https://www.strava.com/clubs/1020892
The Project:
As a non-profit that exists to help young people make brave choices for a better future, Trulife’s Gender-Based Violence project aims to bring long-standing change in the way our country, and ultimately our youth, value themselves and others on the basis of gender and equality. Trulife hopes to empower through education and awareness, bringing to light issues of violence against women, children and other vulnerable groups.
As Linda Malevu, senior facilitator from Trulife explains, “the concept of a tree is used to drive the message home – for too long South Africa’s roots, our beliefs and values, have been poisoned. No wonder we see such rotten fruit in our people’s behaviour. By changing those roots, we can establish a new way of thinking, inspiring this generation to make a change for the better.”
In order to do this, the team has created a Primary and High School anti-GBV programme that uses multimedia and group discussion to address the underlying issues that contribute to GBV culture, prevention tactics, and where to get help. Trained facilitators from the Trulife team have already traveled throughout all 11 districts of KZN in 2022, delivering this important message to over 70 primary and high schools, and creating safe spaces for learners to come forward to share their stories or find help. This was made possible through the R549 000 raised from the first WeSeeYou campaign, alongside complementary funding from the Solidarity Fund and GBVF1 Response Fund.
Trulife is calling on businesses, communities, running groups and families to take up the challenge and change the tide of GBV in South Africa – one learner, one school, one community at a time.
To embrace a shared sense of purpose and camaraderie around the event, a kick-off run will take place on Tuesday the 21st of March at Forest Hills Running Club (Forest View) at 8:30am – with the option to complete a 5k or 10k walk/run. All are welcome!
About Trulife
Trulife is an NPO that works to improve the lives of South African youth through educational and creative content in the form of live productions, workshops and seminars. With over 11 years of experience, Trulife work with schools, universities, and the public to create relevant, home-grown videos and materials that address social and health issues including bullying, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol abuse, human trafficking, mental health, identity, leadership and more.
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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 R380 Million.
Ukrainians observed the solemn anniversary of the Russian invasion that disrupted their lives and threatened Europe’s security on February 24, 2022.
One year on, the scars of war remain fresh as individuals remember the lives lost, the homes destroyed, and the families torn apart by the conflict.
In a statement, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy acknowledged the resilience of the Ukrainian people, saying they demonstrated their invincibility during “a year of agony, sorrow, faith, and unity.”
As the world continues to watch the devastation unfold, many have come together to provide humanitarian relief to the people of Ukraine.
To support South African humanitarian organisation, The Gift of the Givers, who are working tirelessly to uplift the lives of Ukrainians affected by the war, 5 individuals have launched crowdfunding campaigns on BackaBuddy, hoping to make a difference.
Soup Kitchens in Kyiv
Natalia Venter, a 46-year-old originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, who now lives in Cape Town, has launched a crowdfunding campaign with her husband Div Venter (49), to provide warm, cooked meals to people affected by the war in Ukraine.
The B50 Field Kitchen has prepared and distributed over 1 million meals with the support of the Gift of the Givers, which has received an official certificate for their continuous support.
Pictured above: Natalia Venter
The campaign aims to raise funds to purchase fresh produce, ingredients, packaging materials, and hygienic products to support the B50 Field Kitchen and other soup kitchens on a regular basis.
The cost to support the B50 Field Kitchen is around R30,000 per week, while other smaller soup kitchens cost an additional R30,000 per week for products and gasoline for deliveries.
Since the launch of the campaign, more than R6 075.16 has been raised towards the target of R500 000.
Madelaine Reader, a 47-year-old from Rustenburg Johannesburg, has started a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for #LOVERENI, a movement that supports Michele Potgieter’s mission in Reni, Ukraine.
The mission provides education, health, and socio-economic projects and services to residents, including refugees and displaced people affected by the War in Ukraine.
Pictured above: Madelaine Reader
The funds raised will be used to sustain vital services such as providing fuel for generators, humanitarian aid, food for refugees and vulnerable people, and coal for heating during winter months for the Raduga Children’s Home and The Ark Shelter. With continued support, #LOVERENI will be able to provide necessary aid to help those in need.
Since the launch of the campaign, more than R2500 has been raised towards the target of R100 000.
Kateryna Tertiienko helping orphans and children in Ukraine
Kateryna Tertiienko (39) who is originally from Kyiv, Ukraine and now lives in Cape Town started a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to provide humanitarian aid for orphans and children who became orphans during the conflict in Ukraine.
Pictured above: Kateryna Tertiienko
Funds raised will be used to purchase essential products for preparing wholesome meals for children, fresh vegetables, and fruit, as well as non-perishable foods that require less electricity for preparation.
“Ukraine is my home, and it has been really difficult to not be right there and help during those hard times. Although we are on another continent, I would like to do everything in my power to send some help back to those who need it.” – says Kateryna Tertiienko
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 R390 Million.
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David Klinkradt (17), a young man living with Down syndrome and autism from Brackenfell, Cape Town , is gearing up for his ninth Cape Town Cycle Tour alongside his partner, Brett Chilcott (46).
Though David cannot ride a bicycle independently, he takes on the challenge in a buggy attached to Brett’s bicycle.
The two have built a beautiful relationship over the years of cycling together, not only benefiting David, who loves to be out on the road, but also using events like the Cape Town Cycle Tour to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts: Raising Hope South Africa.
David’s older sister started Raising Hope South Africa, an NPO that supports individuals and families living with disabilities through various projects such as food hampers, parents support groups, church ministry programs, and inclusive sports such as cycling and golf.
David is passionate about making a difference in his community. He began his social advocacy work as part of the Chaeli Campaign’s Ambassadors program when he was 9 years old in 2015. He remained an ambassador until 2021. He started doing awareness talks with his sister around Down syndrome and autism at age 8, and became actively involved with Raising Hope South Africa when it was founded in 2016. Currently, David also serves as Durbanville Leo (a branch of Lion’s international).
Since 2014, David and Brett have been cycling together. David relies on Brett to keep him safe and to make sure his needs are met while on the road, so that together they can succeed. From not knowing each other when they started, David’s face lights up at the mention of cycling with Brett, or the opportunity to spend time with him.
Pictured above: Brett Chilcott and David Klinkradt with Gavin Rossouw (Image: Action photos)
“Sport, and in particular cycling have provided some of the best experiences of my life. A bike is one’s first sense of freedom, the ability to move off on an adventure and explore your surroundings. The feeling of the wind in your face as you ‘fly” downhill or the view as you round a corner, these are special and precious things. I decided to ride with David to try and expose and give a young boy the opportunity to experience this for himself. Over the last 10 years I’ve watched David grow, overcome more challenges and obstacles than are fair. We are more than riding partners, we are friends, a team, and he’s changed my life for the better, forever” – says Brett
With this year’s event David and Brett are aiming to raise at least R20 000 through a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. These funds will go towards the Hampers of Hope feeding program run by Raising Hope South Africa, which supports learners at Paarl School in Brackenfell and their families over school holidays with food hampers.
Each hamper costs R450 to put together and provides canned and dried foods to assist families with staple food items. These learners are impacted by cerebral palsy, autism, and other physical disabilities. Should David raise additional funds, these will go towards supporting the Raising Hope Golf Academy.
Pictured above: Raising Hope delivering food hampers to Paarl School
David and Brett will be taking on the 109km Cape Town Cycle Tour on 12 March 2023, supported by riders, Gavin Rossouw (45) and Steven Burnett (43) along the way who will assist in pushing the duo up the challenging parts of the course such as Smits Winkle, Suikerbossie, and Chapman’s Peak when the going gets tough.
David’s passion for sport and his community is inspiring, and we can’t wait to see him and Brett succeed in the Cape Town Cycle Tour and raise funds for families with disabilities
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 R390 Million.
Raise funds for an individual or cause.
Register your non-profit organisation.
Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.
