Paddlers raise R40 000 for charity

February 16, 2012: If you’re going to put yourself through three days of hell paddling from Pmb to the Umgeni River Estuary, in godforsaken temperatures and hauling a canoe up the most ridiculous climbs (plus put up with the moans and complaints of three of your pals along the way), what better reason to do it than for charity.

Husqvarna’s K4 Dusi 2012 Paddle for a Limb Initiative paddlers have taken on the 2012 Dusi in a K4 canoe to raise money to give prosthetic limbs to disabled people living along the Dusi route.

In the picture: Shane Wright, Justice Khwela and Craig Gibson.

Paddlers Shane Wright (left) and Craig Gibson (right) visited Justice Khwela (49, pictured centre) who, along with two others, is already being assisted due to the generous donation of R40 000 raised through the initiative. Justice lives near the river, close enough to know about the annual pilgrimage of canoes to the sea – but being a Dusi spectator and finding a job have both been impossible for him since he lost his leg in a 1996 car accident.

The four paddlers – Shane Wright, Craig Wright, Clint Lawson and Craig Gibson – set out on Thursday morning hoping to raise another R120 000 to help a further eight people with limbs. This is the second K4 boat ever to attempt this feat.

The canoeists urged the public and corporates to get involved: “We strongly encourage anyone to make a donation, however small.”

Banking details for those wishing to pledge their support are:
Craig Gibson Family Trust
First National Bank
Acc no: 62179904175
Branch: Midlands Mall/Branch code: 257355 – (Fax proof of payment to 086 613 6444)

The trust will be controlled and audited by Guy W. McEwen CA (SA).