The final touches were put to the SPAR Women’s Challenge 2020 campaign in the Eastern Cape with a donation to beneficiaries on Saturday at Old Grey Sports Club in Port Elizabeth.
SPAR Eastern Cape donated R35 000 to each beneficiary of the 2020 Women’s Challenge at Old Grey Sports Club on Saturday. At the handover were, from left, Selwyn Willis from the Community Chest, SPAR sponsorship and events manager Alan Stapleton and Rene Whittal and Lucia Mtshaka from Khazimla. Photo: Leon Hugo
This follows a year when the Covid-19 pandemic put paid to the running of the 5km and 10km races.
Despite that, SPAR EC sponsorship and events manager Alan Stapleton drew several positives from the final outcome at the official handover.
The chief of these was contributions of R35 000 to each of Khazimla and the Community Chest in Port Elizabeth and Options in George as part of the retailer’s commitment to the community.
“Apart from celebrating women and thanking our customers for their support, the Women’s Challenge has always stood for supporting communities,” said Stapleton.
“So it is really humbling to be able to assist organisations who reach out to those in need.”
Furthermore, R40 000 in sanitary protection products was also donated, while the goody bags for the race were given to a number of organisations across the Eastern Cape.
Stapleton felt the setbacks experienced in 2020 would create a strong desire to bond even more going forward.
“This has been a year that we would all like to put behind us,” he said. “The appetite to get together in a spirit of healthy exercise and camaraderie is probably stronger than ever.
“We will be aiming to offer an event next year that fulfils all those expectations, and more.”
Stapleton said they were aware that some entrants did not receive the SMS or see the social media notices about the collection of their race shirts.
He said provision has been made for them to collect their T-shirts on Saturday (September 12) from 9am to 4pm at the Old Grey Sports Club.
“We request that you bring proof of entry in the form of the online confirmation or your race number to collect your shirt.”