New York, here I come!
2007-11-01
A FRANSCHHOEK resident, Hugo Blaisse, is to run the New York Marathon on Sunday to raise funds for local kids. The proceeds of his race go to the Kusasa Project in Franschhoek.
The Kusasa Project works with primary school children residing in shacks and sub-standard housing around the Franschhoek Valley, focusing on boosting academic performance, providing struc-tured sporting acti-vities, sponsoring lifeskills training, teaching community service and generally offering kids a more hopeful view of their own future.
Hugo ran a number of marathons while living in the Netherlands, but since moving to Franschhoek with his wife Saskia, they have been busy raising young kids and launching their cheese business.
While cycling the Franschhoek Pass he met Dave Riordan who told him about the Kusasa Project.
“After finishing our first Cape Argus, the running virus had really struck this time. I finished five half marathons.
“My next obvious goal was beginning to take shape: a full marathon (42,2 km). And why not run the most famous of them all? So tickets were booked for the New York Marathon to be held on 4 November.
“While doing one of my training runs for this major event with 35 000 competitors from all over the world, I realised this was a unique opportunity to lend some support to the fantastic Kusasa initiative.
“They expose local kids to new opportunities.
“The funds I hope to raise by way of my run will be used directly to provide more sporting oppor-tunities and equip-ment to boys and girls not only of Da-lubuhle, but also other schools around the valley for regular sporting activities, tournaments and training throughout the year.
“The latest new initiative involves establishing a touch rugby programme for young children in the area, with the assistance of local rugby players and educators.”
“You can support this initiative by donating R25 for every mile run. If I complete the full marathon (26,2 miles), at R25 per mile this will raise R655 towards the project. You are welcome to donate less or more than the above example.”
Payments can be made into the Kusasa Project account (1670005186) at Nedbank Franschhoek (branch code 147005) using the reference Hugo or My Marathon when making the payment. For more information visit www.thekusasaproject.org.
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