Graham Wells (45) from Pelham in Pietermaritzburg, will take on his 8th Comrades Marathon on 28 August 2022.
Running barefoot from Pietermaritzburg to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, Graham has decided to dedicate his 90km challenge to the plight of the growing homeless population in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
“I’m a firm believer that running medals don’t mean anything unless you have made a difference for someone else. ” – says Graham
Partnering with One Life Foundation, Graham has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy called “Run for a roof”, to raise R250 000 towards the estimated R1 million needed to fund a much-needed homeless shelter in the area.
Graham Wells
“Whilst out training in the freezing cold mornings, I am always struck by the number of homeless in our city. As we complain about the weather getting colder, imagine what it must get like living on the street, in a park or on a field. These are normal people, like you and I, and for whatever reason, have found themselves in a difficult situation and, consequently, homeless.” – says Graham
Since the launch of his campaign, Graham has raised over R33 000 with kind contributions from 32 donors. Funds raised will not only cover the cost to build the housing structure, but also provide the homeless with the appropriate rehabilitation services to re-build their own lives.
Graham Wells
Having worked in social housing in the United Kingdom, helping the homeless has always been close to Graham’s heart.
“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
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 R344 Million.
To assist you in raising funds, our team has put together guidelines to make your crowdfunding journey a little easier.
A short, beautifully written, emotive and informative campaign message connects with donors.
Crowdfunding campaigns with a short video message tend to raise 4 times more funds.
Reaching out to family and friends first can help you raise 220% more funds.
Your crowdfunding campaign will be 5 times more likely to succeed if you share it on social media.To learn how to share your campaign effectively on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram read more below.
In celebration of the great life and legacy lived by Tata Madiba, every year on International Mandela Day (18th July) South Africans would unite together, take to the streets and change the lives of those in need.
Fortunately, due to relaxed Covid-19 restrictions, the public’s global call to action has been reignited. Allowing us as individuals to support, help and aid those in need through the click of a button and in the comfort of our own living room.
Here’s a list of crowdfunding campaigns you can support
Support the Motheo children’s center for Mandela Day!
Motheo Children’s Center caters to children with special needs and accommodates orphaned children from previously disadvantaged communities around Ngobi which are located in Limpopo, South Africa. This center is in desperate need of equipment and resources to care for its loving children. This Mandela Day, why not help support this charity by helping the children’s center raise R20 000 for materials to enable them to live a more fulfilling life.
Support the Motheo Children’s Center by donating to their BackaBuddy campaign.
Support parkrun in providing defibrillators for South Africa
Parkrun events are places where everyone, runners, joggers, walkers, and volunteers gather to have fun and experience happiness in the local community. It is for this reason that Ultramarathon athlete, Bruce Fordyce has partnered up with Aero Healthcare for the sole purpose of keeping Parkrun events as safe as possible for anyone who wishes to join. As a Mandela Day initiative, help support this wonderful campaign reach 200 defibrillators standing at a total price of R4 million rand to ensure each parkrun event across South Africa is as safe as possible.
Support Bruce Fordyce on his new challenge to provide Parkrun in SA with defibrillators
Support Baby Novah Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) fund
Novah De Wet from Aggeneys, Northern Cape, was diagnosed with Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1. This is a rare genetic sickness that destroys important motor neurons that allow for movement and muscle development. A miracle gene therapy drug called Zolgensma from the USA can assist in aiding her condition. Following Mandela day, donate to this critical campaign to help pay for Novah’s once-off treatment of Zolgensam which costs R35 million rand.
Help save Novah De Wet by donating to her BackaBuddy campaign.
Support the Sakha Family Development Center to empower local women in Kouga
The Sakhe Family Care Development Centre is a non-profit organisation based in Humansdorp, Eastern Cape, that aims to uplift families in the Kouga area through training courses for wives, husbands and children alike. Many South African women in South Africa don’t have the opportunity to study. Their current project currently aims to empower women by teaching them how to use sewing machines and product development in the textile industry. This Mandela Day, help these women gain their independence by giving them a marketable skill that allows them to achieve more.
Support this cause by donating to their BackaBuddy campaign.
Let’s get Aidan Bates to Baseball 5 World Cup in Mexico 2022
Aidan Bryce Bartes, a full-time 2nd-year student at ETA college in Port Elizabeth been given the opportunity of a lifetime to play at the WBSC Baseball 5 World Cup in Mexico 2022. Aidan has been in remission from cancer since he was diagnosed at the age of 3, however, this has not stopped him from making remarkable achievements ever since. Let’s Help Aidan this Mandela day reach his fundraising goal of R50 000 and enable him to pursue this amazing opportunity.
Support Aidan Bryce Bartes by donating to his BackaBuddy campaign.
Make a difference in someone else’s world by donating, sharing and supporting any one of the above campaigns. To find more campaigns aligned with your passion, you may donate to our wide variety on Backabuddy.co.za.
Create a crowdfunding campaign
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 raised over R260 Million.
Romario Valentine (9), a pint-size planet warrior and artist from Umhlanga, Durban, has dedicated the last 4 years of his young life to protecting our planet.
Fully focused on his passions, namely bird and marine conservation, climate change, and deforestation, Romario has remarkably completed 180 beach clean-ups to date, planted over 455 trees across 22 continents, and last year he raised over R31 000 on BackaBuddy to support the Umgeni River Bird Park in lieu of birthday gifts.
A Rising star
Despite only being in grade 4, Romario has become a rising star in the conservation space.
He recently made history by becoming the youngest Ambassador for Ocean Sole, a Kenyan company that recycles flip flops that wash ashore by transforming them into vibrant colourful marine and wildlife sculptures with the help of local artists.
On the 17th of June 2021, He was selected by the UNCCD “United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification” to highlight climate change and land degradation to represent them at their Desertification and Drought Day.
He has also been featured by The United Nations, 50/50, Extreme E’s Virtual Series Launch, National Geographic Kids, Global Citizen, and appeared as one of 35 activists in “What a Wonderful World” a book by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Lydia Hill, to be released in the United Kingdom, August 2021.
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
Romario celebrated his 10th birthday on 26th July 2021, staying true to his selfless nature, he once again decided to forgo birthday gifts to instead raise R20 000 on Backabuddy, to support two charities close to his heart, Birds of Eden and Zeitz Foundation.
As Romario blew out the candles on his birthday cake this year, he only had one wish, which was “to restore habitats for biodiversity and to leave a legacy for other children and generations to come”
Since the launch of his crowdfunding campaign, Romario raised over R 24 000 exceeding his fundraising target, with contributions from 71 donors both locally and abroad.
Funds raised allowed him to sponsor 350 Acacia trees to be planted in the rainy season this October/November in the Segera, Kenya with Zeitz Foundation.
His trees included a variety of baobab, coral, blackbird berry, acacia, mango, mulberry, papaya, and pepper bark which were planted last week by women from the community.
The additional funds were donated to Birds of Eden, Plettenberg Bay in Western Cape to help with the completion of 30 × 30m aviary for abandoned African Grey parrots to have a safe home and live freely.
“Trees are life, they are important for our survival and help slow down global warming. When we take care of nature, we take care of ourselves. I am grateful for all the support from my parents and everyone around the world. I believe it is my mission to protect biodiversity. ” – Romario Valentine
“As parents, we are honoured to have a humble, visionary son. Romario has been passionate about the environment and wildlife for several years. We will continue to support him the best way we can on his journey. We believe he is a Champion of the Earth. We are grateful to everyone who has supported his campaigns and his environmental journey to date. – says, Romario’s mum, Delsha Moodley
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 R250 Million.
300 000+ donors have supported over 30 000+ heroes like you through their medical treatment, education or have rewarded a gesture of kindness by paying it forward on BackaBuddy.
We thank our generous donors and hardworking campaign creators everyday for making the world a better place.
We are the shoulders on which heroes stand.
Here are a few inspiring stories of impact made possible through kind support.
Nkosikho’s good deed
When Monet van Deventer stopped at a petrol station in Cape Town and realised she had forgotten her bank card at home, good samaritan, Nkosikho Mbele, offered to fill her tank with R100 to ensure she got home safely.
To thank him for his kind deed, she set up a campaign with a fundraising target of R100 000 that soon gained support from over 2500 donors, raising over R500 000 in total.
Aaron Lipschitz(5) from Sea Point, Cape Town, is the first child in South Africa to be diagnosed with Interleukin-12 Receptor Defect, a rare genetic condition that affects the immune system.
With no cure for Aaron’s condition, the only way for him to overcome his recurrent infections, was to have a bone marrow transplant which was made possible in August 2018 with the support of generous donors.
To date, over R1.6 Million has been raised to support Aaron’s medical treatment on BackaBuddy.
Eco-warrior, Romario Valentine
Romario Valentine(11) is a young eco-warrior from Umhlanga, Durban, who has dedicated his last two birthdays to raise funds to support his favourite bird park, plant trees and build an aviary.
Focused on saving our environment, Romario’s efforts have garnered international attention, and he has been featured by 50/50, National Geographic Kids, Global Citizen and has even appeared on a panel with The United Nations!
When Naledi Thahanyanewas 4-years-old, she was in urgent need of surgery after it was discovered that she had a heart defeat.
Without the funds to cover Naledi’s medical needs, the children’s home in which she lives, reached out for support. With an outpouring of love and support, over R260 000 was raised to save her life.
In the wake of the Knysna Fires in June 2017, Former Miss South Africa, Demi Leigh Nel Peterslaunched a campaign on BackaBuddy to help rebuild her hometown after fires raged through the Garden Route.
Urging South Africans to support her cause for the Sedgefield Lions Club, over R820 000 was raised, exceeding the initial target of R500 000 to provide supplies for the families that lost their homes and livelihoods in the blaze.
Need inspiration?
Read more of our impact stories by clicking below.
