In 2018, renowned athlete and Olympic medalist, Terence Parkin successfully completed a mammoth 902km marathon of cycling, swimming, running and canoeing in order to raise funds for The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa. The funds were was used for deaf and disabled children’s Learn to Swim and Water Safety programmes. During the months that followed his 2018 902km challenge, he visited many schools for the Deaf in South Africa, giving water safety talks and swimming lessons.
This year, Terence Parkin is going to do a 1120km challenge to raise funds for further activities in 2019 for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa including free CPR/First Aid training to staff and older learners at schools for the Deaf – and he will be joined by ADreach’s own (and former SCARC paddler) Sipho Qoko.
ADreach realizes the incredible importance of advocacy around water safety, and is a long-time sponsor of the Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC), and specifically their Learn to Swim programme for children in Soweto.
To this end, ADreach has decided to sponsor their employee, Sipho Qoko, to partner up with Terence Parkin on this incredible journey.
A competitive Dusi, and Non-Stop Dusi paddler, Qoko will be joining Parkin on what can only be described as a mammoth test of endurance.
Says Qoko: “This initiative is important to me because we are tackling a big challenge to help raise funds for people with disabilities – people who face bigger challenges than this race every day of their lives. For me this is a good opportunity to do something that makes a difference in other people’s lives, and I’ve always wanted to be someone who does that. I am very grateful to have ADreach supporting me through this journey. Their involvement with my paddling and my career so far has helped me overcome many obstacles.”
Canoe Concepts has very kindly donated a K2 canoe for Parkin and his partner to use to race the FNB Dusi. Qoko will paddling in a K1.
The details of their epic expedition are below:
Cycling
- 4 February: St Vincent School for the Deaf, Johannesburg to Frankfort (200km)
- 5 February: Frankfort to Phuthaditjhaba (200km) and a visit to Thiboloha School for the Deaf and Blind
- 6 February: Phuthaditjhaba to Afriski Mountain Resort in Lesotho (140km)
- 7 February: Afriski Mountain Resort to Underberg (180km)
- 8 February: Underberg to Midmar Dam (183km)
Swimming – Midmar Mile
- 9-11 February: Midmar Mile event where Terence will swim 17.8km over 3 days
Running
- 11 February: Midmar Dam to Shooter’s Hill (26km)
- 12 February: Shooter’s Hill to Albert Falls (27km)
- 13 February: Albert Falls to Natal Canoe Club (27km) – Start of Dusi Canoe Marathon
Canoeing – Dusi Canoe Marathon
- 14 February: Natal Canoe Club to Dusi Bridge (40km)
- 15 February: Dusi Bridge to Inanda Dam (44km)
- 16 February: Inanda Dam to Blue Lagoon (36km)
In aid of this worth – and epic – funraising challege, ADreach will be sponsoring:
- Qoko’s hard costs for the trip
- A donation to the Fund Raising Challenge
- ADreach-sponsored kit for Qoko
- A Brand Ambassador contribution
- A discretionary Media Bonus for Parkin & Qoko
Terence Parkin is an Ambassador for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Francois Pienaar, Chairman of the Foundation and CEO Ryk Neethling fully support Terence’s Initiative and encourages other South Africans to lend their support to this worthy cause.
The 1120km Fund Raising Challenge 2019 starts on the 4th February.