Alwyn Uys, a 33-year-old wheelchair athlete from Stellenbosch, is not just a testament to overcoming adversity but also an inspiration to many. Once an avid rugby player for Maties University and the Sharks Academy, Alwyn’s life took a dramatic turn on December 13, 2014. A momentary lapse while driving led to a severe car accident, leaving him paraplegic and having to rely on a wheelchair.
Pictured above: Alwyn spending time with his dog, Dex
Reflecting on the incident, Alwyn shares, “It was a huge change and impact on my life. Everything I used to love to do was now inaccessible to me. I had to change my thinking and how I do life, or I wouldn’t have made it out alive.”
Despite the challenges, Alwyn’s spirit remained unbroken. He redirected his passion for sports into becoming a formidable para-triathlete, engaging in triathlons, Ironman events, and other extreme endurance challenges. His remarkable achievements include being the first paraplegic in the world to successfully swim the Robben Island crossing. He is also the first South African paraplegic to complete a full-distance Ironman, earning him titles as a SA para-triathlete and para-cycling gold medalist.
Pictured above: Alwyn completing his first Full distance Ironman
Alwyn’s pursuit of freedom and adventure led him to discover the life-changing potential of an off-road wheelchair during a visit to the USA. “I first experienced this in the USA where they are more freely available to loan at beaches and parks. And it was a game-changer! The freedom I experienced was incredible. Now I was able to do the things I love again! I could move around freely. Go to the beach, go walk with my dogs, like I gained a piece of my life back,” Alwyn explains.
Pictured above: Alwyn testing an off-road wheelchair (Action track) in America for the first time
Motivated to continue his active lifestyle, Alwyn launched a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for his own off-road wheelchair. The total cost for the chair and a trailer for transportation is around R300,000, with manufacturing in Pretoria and about R5,000 needed to courier it to Cape Town. To date, his campaign has successfully raised over R165 000 with the generous support of 82 donors.
Alwyn Uys Ministries, his own registered NPC and PBO, issues 18A certificates for tax purposes, ensuring donors can also benefit from their contributions. When asked about the impact of this support, Alwyn states,“Despite the setbacks and hardships I’ve had to face and endure, life is still good, and God is still good to me! I realized through this all the importance of doing what you love in this life and the value of appreciation of what you have and the small things in life. Like being able to walk on the beach with your dogs.”
Pictured above: Alwyn training for Ironman
The acquisition of the off-road wheelchair represents more than just enhanced mobility for Alwyn; it symbolizes a reclaiming of his independence and a return to the joys of his pre-accident life. “It’s regaining a piece back of the life I used to live and being able to enjoy the things I once used to do freely,” he passionately adds.
As the homeless advocacy organization Souper Troopers marks its 10th anniversary on June 7, 2024, founder Kerry Hoffman, her dedicated team, and many of the individuals they have supported are preparing for a special 10km walk through the heart of Cape Town. This walk, starting and ending at The Humanity Hub—their operational base in Woodstock—will trace their steps through significant areas of Woodstock and the Cape Town CBD, where Souper Troopers has made a notable impact over the past decade.
This event isn’t just a walk down memory lane; it’s a stride toward sustainability. With over 14,000 individuals living on the streets of Cape Town, the need for such transformative efforts remains high. “This 10km walk celebrates our journey and the transformations we’ve witnessed, but it also serves a critical fundraising purpose,” explains Hoffman. A crowdfunding campaign launched on BackaBuddy to support this anniversary event has already raised nearly R50,000 from 29 donors, pushing toward a target of R200,000.
The funds raised are vital for continuing the comprehensive support services offered at The Humanity Hub, where individuals receive not just the essentials—like food, clothing, and toiletries—but also access to counseling, skills training, medical referrals, and much more. “Every rand donated is a step towards ensuring that more people can receive the help they need to turn their lives around,” says Hoffman.
Odette Oliver, who spent many years on the streets of Cape Town, shares her life-changing experience with Souper Troopers. “Souper Troopers helped me to see my self-worth and supported my journey to sobriety and independence. I am so proud that I can pay my bills and be a responsible mother to my child. What sets Souper Troopers apart is that we treat everyone with love, respect, and understanding, which gives each of us the confidence to tackle any challenges that come our way,” says Odette.
Pictured above: Odette Oliver
The inspiration for Souper Troopers came from Hoffman’s personal life changes and her desire to redirect her compassion from personal relationships to communal care, starting with simple acts of kindness like distributing soup and sandwiches. “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” a quote from Nelson Mandela, echoes as a mantra for the organization, reminding them of the impact even the smallest gestures can have.
Pictured above: Souper Troopers
As they look back on a decade of service, Souper Troopers not only celebrates their achievements but also calls on the community for continued support. Everyone is encouraged to get involved, whether by participating in the walk and seeking sponsorships or by donating directly to their BackaBuddy campaign. Each donation will be matched by an anonymous benefactor, effectively doubling the potential impact.
To support Souper Troopers’ commemorative walk, visit their campaign page at:
Launching a crowdfunding campaign is just the first step towards raising funds for your cause. To achieve your fundraising target, it’s essential to engage with your network effectively and at the right time to maximize your campaign’s reach and appeal to potential donors.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of 7 Effective Ways that you can promote your crowdfunding campaign successfully and receive support from your network and the wider donor community.
Register Your Campaign
If you haven’t registered yet, please do so by clicking the link:Register Your Campaign.
With over R550 million raised for various causes nationwide, we have the experience and expertise to support you. Whether you need funds for medical needs, tuition fees, or any other cause, this is the right place.
Optimize Your Campaign
To achieve your crowdfunding goals, it’s essential to optimize your campaign content before promoting it to a wide audience. Craft a clear, emotive story explaining the beneficiary’s situation and the impact donations will have on them.
Include high-quality images and a one-minute videoto enhance your campaign’s credibility and engagement. Studies show that videos can increase donations 4X and social media shares 7X. It is also important to ensure that your fundraising target is transparent, realistic, and aligned with the beneficiary’s needs.
To kickstart your crowdfunding campaign and receive your first donations, it’s crucial to reach out to your personal network of friends and family first via direct messages.
They are more likely to support your cause and be willing to donate, as they already trust you and have a relationship with you.
Having initial donors can create social proof and make your campaign more attractive to potential donors who may be hesitant to be the first to contribute. This can help you attract more donations and create momentum for your campaign.
You can send your campaign to your family and friends through instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or email, with a short, personalized message introducing your campaign and what you are fundraising for.
Research shows that 98% of instant messages are opened and read within the first 3 seconds, making it a fast and effective way to promote your campaign at the start.
An idea of a message you could send:
98% of Instant messages are typically read within 3 seconds, making it the perfect way to reach out to your immediate circle.
Reach Out To Your Wider Network
To maximize your chances of receiving more donations towards your crowdfunding campaign, it’s crucial to expand your reach beyond your immediate circle.
After securing a few initial donations, you should reach out to your wider network, which includes extended family, neighbours, co-workers, social groups, acquaintances, members of your community, and the wider public.
Additionally, consider collaborating with influencers, non-profit organizations, or businesses that share your cause to expand your reach even further.
As your campaign gains momentum and becomes more trustworthy, a broader audience is more likely to show their support.
Personalize your message to each group, highlighting the impact their donation will create, and ask them to share your campaign with people they know.
Reach Out On Social Media
To maximize the reach and success of your crowdfunding campaign, social media can be a powerful tool.
Research shows that sharing your campaign on social media, once you have secured at least 5-10 donationsfrom your immediate circleand your wider network, can increase your campaign’s chances of success 5X.
This is because potential donors, especially those who don’t know you personally, are often hesitant to be the first to donate, but are more likely to contribute when a campaign begins gaining traction.
To effectively promote your campaign on social media, it’s important to personalize your message and highlight the impact that donations will create. Accompany your posts or stories with a high-resolution image or short video to enhance your message and capture the attention of your followers.
Don’t just share your crowdfunding campaign link on its own; make sure to introduce your campaign and encourage your followers to donate and share your campaign on their social media channels.
Sharing your crowdfunding campaign on social media once you have 5-10 donations can increase your success rate by 5X.
Reach Out To Local Media
To increase the reach of your crowdfunding campaign even further, consider reaching out to local media outlets once you have received 10-20 donations and your campaign has gained momentum.
Local online blogs, newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations have the ability to reach thousands or even millions of potential donors who may be interested in covering your story.
To reach out, write a press release in the third person that includes relevant quotes from you or your beneficiary, along with images or a video. Consider publishing your press release on free distribution sites like MyPR and MyPressportal.
To find media contacts visit download The South African Government Media Directory, visit the “contact us” section of a publication in your area, or reach out to journalists on social media.
If your campaign has media potential, you reach an unlimited audience of supporters.
Share Updates & Milestones
Donors want to feel connected to the cause they’re supporting, so it’s crucial to keep them engaged and informed.
Regularly sharing updates on your crowdfunding campaign’s progress, including the milestones you’ve achieved and challenges you’ve overcome, can encourage donors to continue supporting your campaign.
By doing so, donors will trustyour campaign more and see the impact they have helped create. It’s also essential to thank your donors individually and publicly and consider sharing testimonials or stories from the people who have benefited from your campaign.
These updates not only build trust but also foster a sense of community and motivate continued support
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is essential to expand your reach to attract a wider audience of potential supporters for your crowdfunding campaign, it is equally important to engage with your immediate network first.
By reaching out to your immediate circle through personal, direct messages, you can build trust, and credibility, and gain the initial momentum needed to attract donors in your wider network and the wider donor community.
Reaching the right people, at the right time, with the right message, will increase your crowdfunding campaign’s likelihood of success.
Pictured above: Madswimmer Founder Jean Craven waves the SA flag high
CAPE TOWN – “The Sky is the Limit” Madswimmer Team triumphantly returned to a camp in Kagkot in the Himalayas on Sunday afternoon, the 12 of May, marking their reconnection with civilization and their first steps on solid ground after a grueling fifteen-day ascent on the icy slopes of Mt. Putha Hiunchuli in the Himalayas. Their mission was to complete the highest-altitude swim ever recorded.
On the morning of May 10th, at an altitude of 6,405 meters, the team achieved their ambitious goal. They surpassed the previous record of 6,370 meters set by Australian Dan Bull in the Andes Mountains in South America, thus shifting the highest swim record to a new continent under challenging conditions- a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
Jean Craven, expedition leader and founder of Madswimmer, noted that the trek to the swim site was the most arduous part of the journey. Following three flights and a nerve-wracking 17-hour Jeep ride along steep cliffs, the team embarked on a 138km uphill trek that lasted 15 days. With the aid of eighteen sherpas and a caravan of 35 donkeys and yaks, they transported over a ton of equipment and supplies essential for their survival. They faced harsh icy conditions, battling wind and snow, and navigated treacherously near crevasses that threatened to collapse beneath them.
Pictured above: Madswimmers Vanes-Marie Du Toit, Neo Mokuene, Deniz Kayadelen, Chiara Baars (Team Doctor), Thufayl Ali (Cameraman), Sean Disney (Himalaya Tour leader) and Sean Jean Craven, Madswimmer Founder
Describing the swim, Jean recounted, “The last accessible liquid (swimmable) water was found at 4,900 meters. To achieve a world record, we needed to venture higher and create a suitable swimming environment at 6,405 meters. We carved out a swimming hole in the ice and melted ice in large drums that preserved the liquid water overnight. The swimming hole was covered under a tent canvas to prevent refreezing at night. The next morning, we removed the canvas, filled the ice hole with the liquid water we preserved, and took turns swimming in it for about three minutes each, wearing Speedos only. The water was chillingly cold at 3.7 degrees Celsius, with the outside temperature at minus six.”
Pictured above: Madswimmer Vanes-Marie Du Toit takes the plunge
The expedition was conducted with a commitment to environmental stewardship. After their historic swim, the water was carefully returned to the mountain, where it refroze.
Dr. Chiara Baars, the team doctor, diligently monitored the members’ vital signs and general health throughout. Oxygen levels were measured in the morning and again at night and it was interesting observing how sleep aided their acclimatisation overnight. Despite most team members lacking experience in high-altitude climbing, none suffered severe shortness of breath or other altitude symptoms. Three members took medication to facilitate acclimatisation, which was discontinued as they began their descent. Post-swim, everyone was warmed in heated tents, dressed in warm clothes covered with hot water bottles, ensuring their bodies recovered well from the extreme cold.
The team emphasised that their expedition aimed to witness and document the impacts of climate change. They encountered alarming signs, like running water appearing nearly 5,000 meters above sea level. The solid ice is crucial for binding the soil in these frigid zones. The melting of it threatens devastating land and mudslides that could obliterate communities. With global awareness campaigns initiated by Nepalese tourism and the vivid documentation by Madswimmer, the team hopes to spark meaningful discussions and highlight the urgent need to address climate change.
Pictured above: Madswimmer Neo Mokuene takes an icy dip.
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
‘The Sky is the Limit’ Madswimmer Team has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to support two children’s charities with their dedicated swim: the Universitas Academic Hospital Oncology Unit for Teens and Adolescents and the Red Cross Children’s Hospital.
Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Cape Town
The Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town provides critical paediatric care to children from across South Africa. Support for this hospital ensures the continuation and expansion of their life-saving work, offering a brighter future for children in need.
Adolescent Oncology Unit, Universitas Academic Annex Hospital, Bloemfontein
The Adolescent Oncology Unit at Universitas Academic Annex Hospital in Bloemfontein focuses on providing specialised care for teenagers battling cancer. Donations help fund renovations, create a lounge and entertainment area, and ensure that teenagers receive the best possible care during their fight.
So far, the BackaBuddy campaign has raised R24,200 of their R2,000,000 goal with the support of 17 donors.
Every year, Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse of The Cape of Good Hope SPCAcommemorates his birthday in a profoundly meaningful way. Instead of seeking gifts, he dedicates his special day to the voiceless and vulnerable. This year, he has chosen to champion the cause of Toby, a dog whose heart-wrenching plight and indomitable spirit epitomize the essence of survival and hope.
Image: Jaco and Toby. (Cape of Good Hope SPCA)
A Harrowing Rescue from Despair
It was a distressing weekend when Inspector Jeffrey Mfini rushed to save Toby following urgent reports of neglect. Tragically, Toby was found emaciated and barely alive, punished by his owners—who starved him for allegedly harming a cat—confined in a narrow, dark alley beside their house. This cruel treatment has since led to legal action against the owners, spearheaded by the SPCA.
Image above: Survival dog Toby
Toby’s Fight for Life
Upon rescue, Toby’s condition was critical, scoring just 1 out of 5 on the health scale and suffering from severe anemia due to starvation. The SPCA’s dedicated team wasted no time in administering emergency care, including a lifesaving blood transfusion needed to replenish his depleted red cells and restore vitality to his weak body. With each passing day under meticulous care, Toby shows small yet hopeful signs of recovery; his first joyful bath marked a poignant milestone, washing away some of the pains of his past.
Image: Toby is making a comeback
A Birthday Wish to Save Lives
This year, as Jaco Pieterse celebrates another year of life, he is fervently rallying support for Toby through a BackaBuddycampaign launched in honor of his birthday on May 18. Inspired by last year’s success, raising over R45,000 and catalyzing numerous rescue operations, Pieterse is determined to exceed that achievement. Just three days into the campaign, the generosity of over 100 donors has brought hope closer to reality, amassing nearly R40,000 towards the goal.
Image: Washing away the pains of the past
Toby’s Remarkable Recovery
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA shares an encouraging update: “Is it our imagination or is there a little more pride in the tilt of his head? He has a little more swagger and a little less stumble in his step that’s for sure. It’s amazing what love can do, and there’s no shortage of it for Toby! Not from our Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse, our hospital team, or YOU! Thank you for supporting Toby’s fight to live so generously.”
Join Us in Making a Profound Impact
“Please consider making a donation to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in honor of my birthday on May 18. Your generosity will support not only Toby’s recovery but will also ensure that the SPCA can continue their critical work. Let’s make this birthday one that brings hope and new beginnings to many. Thank you for helping us continue our mission,” says Jaco.
Pictured above: Alwyn spending time with his dog, Dex
Pictured above: Alwyn completing his first Full distance Ironman
Pictured above: Alwyn testing an off-road wheelchair (Action track) in America for the first time
Pictured above: Alwyn training for Ironman
