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Arm-running 80 km in memory of my Mom: raising funds for the UWC Fairy Godmother

Arm-running 80 km in memory of my Mom: raising funds for the UWC Fairy Godmother

Funds Raised:
R 20 500
Fundraising Target:
R 18 000

Personal message

03/02/2024: I am getting there, but if I am to finish in time, I need to get going! It's been a long, hot and very busy (work-wise) week, but I'm getting the steps in. 63.8 km down, 16.2 km to go before next Sunday. No time to write any more, must flap arms.
 
28/01/2024: I've been remiss in reporting back, but not in getting on with the 'running'. As of this afternoon, I'm 50 km in, 30 km to go. Much travelling and working in-between, but I've discovered I can do it while we're driving between places for my work. Much waving happening as we travel the roads between tiny towns my Mom loved to hear about.  It's tiring, but also amazing how quickly you build up fitness. Onwards and upwards.

_________________________________________

 
My Mom died in November. We are heartbroken. Grief is a horrible thing, I need something to channel it into. My Mom would’ve turned 80 on 11 February, 2024.
 
She was an incredible woman: kind, welcoming, funny and clever. She believed strongly in the power of education. And planting trees. And cake. To celebrate her life and loveliness, to push my grief to something useful, I’m going to ‘arm-run’ 80 km before her birthday, to raise funds for the UWC Fairy Godmother.
 
Yip, you read that right. Arm. Running. I know, it's a terrible name, but I couldn't think of a better one.
 
Let me explain from the beginning. Not to take anything from those who chase X number of steps a day on their fruity little watches and phones, but I discovered a while ago - to my great amusement - that (even) I have been doing some steps each day.
 
Why the amusement, why the (even), you ask? Well, because I’m quadriplegic and have been in a wheelchair since I had a car accident when I was 21. In other words, the last time I took any steps using my actual legs was on the 1st of December, 1996. Thus my amusement at the miracle of my taking steps (entirely unbeknownst to me), according to my phone. Admittedly just 10 or 20 a day, but still.
 
The discovery resulted in my experimenting a bit: making ‘walking’ movements with my arms. It works! I found myself doing over 500 ‘steps’ the other day. Even better, it got my heart rate up, my cheeks flushed and I was even a little out of breath. All while watching Schitt’s Creek on Netflix (it’s like my security blanket, that show). In my bed.
 
The UWC Fairy Godmother is a wonderful woman who receives requests from students at UWC who are struggling. They are extremely humble requests: R200 for groceries, R50 for data so that they can study, R300 for an outfit to go for an interview, R500 for rent. These small amounts make a huge difference to students who are, far too often, trying to study on an empty tummy. See https://www.facebook.com/UWC-Fairy-Godmother-312332205897168/
 
Everything you donate will go directly to the UWC Fairy Godmother and then on to bright young South Africans trying their very best to get an education under extremely hard circumstances. 
 
My Mom believed that the only way to make things better is through education, and so do I, so I’m going to use my arms to do the walking and I hope you’ll help me help the UWC Fairy Godmother do her amazing things by letting your wallets do the talking.
 
Please sponsor my hare-brained little scheme. I’ll post updates about how far I’ve got, in steps and kilometres, thanks to my clever little phone so you know how far I’ve got.
 
For my lovely Mom, here we go. 
 
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Donations

  • Feb 15, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
  • "You're an inspiration!" - Anonymous
  • Feb 10, 2024 - R 630.00 Fees covered
  • "With love" - Anonymous
  • Feb 06, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
  • "" - Anonymous
  • Feb 05, 2024 - R 200.00 Fees covered
  • "You’re amazing Bri." - Han
  • Feb 04, 2024 - R 200.00 Fees covered
  • "Love and strength to you x" - Sue
  • Feb 04, 2024 - R 300.00 Fees covered
  • "Happy heavenly birthday Glen 🎂" - Erica
  • Feb 04, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
  • "" - Caryn
  • Feb 04, 2024 - USD $ 10.29 Fees covered
  • "You continue to inspire us whether you are flapping or not… sending love and kisses" - D&B
  • Jan 31, 2024 - R 200.00 Fees covered
  • "" - Anonymous
  • Jan 30, 2024 - USD $ 19.45 Fees covered
  • "Well done, Shiny Briony - you continue to shine a good light x" - Henrietta
  • Jan 30, 2024 - USD $ 28.72 Fees covered
  • "You are such an incredible person. So very sorry for the terrible loss. Heaps of love 💖" - Anonymous
  • Jan 29, 2024 - R 400.00 Fees covered
  • "My daily chats to my Mom have been made even more precious. A good cause. xxx Sarah" - Anonymous
  • Jan 27, 2024 - R 150.00 Fees covered
  • "Love M&H" - Anonymous
  • Jan 26, 2024 - R 200.00 Fees covered
  • "" - Anonymous
  • Jan 22, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
  • "Arm-running! Well done B!" - Anonymous
  • Jan 21, 2024 - USD $ 57.23 Fees covered
  • "" - Bronwen
  • Jan 12, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
  • "Your mom would be proud on so many different levels!" - Jackie
  • Jan 11, 2024 - R 280.00 Fees covered
  • "I also believe that education is the only way we will achieve positive social change. And understand the deep grief of losing your mom. With thanks for all the windmill pics!💐" - Liza
  • Jan 10, 2024 - R 200.00 Fees covered
  • "Wonderful idea, Briony! Your mum would love this :)" - Di
  • Jan 07, 2024 - USD $ 108.05 Fees covered
  • "We love you so much and send so many hugs. Your mom would be so proud of this endeavor and am sure she’s cheering you on from heaven ♥️" - Liv Pikul and Family
  • Jan 07, 2024 - USD $ 115.62 Fees covered
  • "You’re amazing and you don’t need me to tell you that your mom would definitely approve." - Graeme
  • Jan 07, 2024 - USD $ 21.61 Fees covered
  • "xxxxx" - Miranda Rashid
  • Jan 06, 2024 - USD $ 144.53 Fees covered
  • "You really are an incredible woman and I am so so sorry for your loss. Best of luck! Xx" - Anonymous
  • Jan 06, 2024 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
  • "You go girl! With all my love. The donkey whisperer!" - Anonymous
  • Jan 06, 2024 - R 350.00 Fees covered
  • "Good luck - you can do this!" - Grant
  • Jan 05, 2024 - USD $ 14.45 Fees covered
  • "Love you Shiny Bee x" - Lou
  • Jan 05, 2024 - R 200.00 Fees covered
  • "" - Anonymous
  • Jan 05, 2024 - USD $ 57.78 Fees covered
  • "From Ian and Aliison In fond memory of our dear friend" - James Mclean
  • Jan 05, 2024 - R 100.00 Fees covered
  • "You are a true inspiration - you always go above and beyond and with such passion too, and this is no exception. A beautiful gesture for a special woman." - Lynsey Stewart-Isherwood
  • Jan 05, 2024 - R 100.00 Fees covered
  • "You got this!" - Claudia Dieckmann
  • Jan 05, 2024 - USD $ 54.03 Fees covered
  • "Briony, you are a legend! Your Mom would be so proud of you channeling your grief into something so profoundly helpful to those students in need of support. You go, girlfriend!" - Kate Jarvis
  • Jan 05, 2024 - USD $ 11.56 Fees covered
  • "You’re an inspiration, Briony, your mom would be so proud." - Lynda
  • Jan 05, 2024 - USD $ 57.78 Fees covered
  • "You go girl!! We are so proud of you. Good luck! Love from the Karoo farm." - JP and H
  • Jan 05, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
  • "A wonderful cause in memory of a very special lady, with the arm-running being done by an equally wonderful woman. Go! Go! We're right behind you." - Lara & Alex
  • Jan 05, 2024 - R 500.00 Fees covered
  • "This one’s for you, Glen! 80 kms coming up x" - Leela, Li’l Cat, Dwayne and GM

Statistics

Fundraising target

R 18 000.00

Donations to date

R 20 500.19

Armrunning in memory of Mom Campaign

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