As one of the UK's biggest fund-raising events, the Sport Relief Mile brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. Speaking from London, Comic Relief UK's director of global strategy, Amanda Horton-Mastin, explained why it is coming to Cape Town: “Sport Relief wants to capture the excitement of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010 and establish the Sport Relief Mile model of fund-raising to raise money for disadvantaged children in South Africa.”
The beneficiary of the Sport Relief Cape Town Mile is Child Welfare South Africa, and all funds raised will be used for their child protection and HIV/AIDS programmes.
The Bafana Bafana captain, Aaron Mokoena, has pledged his support from London and is encouraging Capetonians to get active, enter the mile and raise funds. Another football hero, Matthew Booth, said from Joburg: “I hope our support will motivate people to take part in the mile and raise funds for our children in need.”
Football players from Cape Town Clubs Ajax and Santos have been invited to take part in the mile too.
The former England and Newcastle captain, Alan Shearer OBE, will be in Cape Town to present the special two-hour BBC Entertainment Show that will be broadcast that evening at 7.30pm. The show will feature all the highlights from the day's event, including interviews with celebrities, sports stars and other participants doing their bit to help. Viewers will be able to donate to CWSA during the show too. Joining him at the event will be local freestyle football star, Khris Njokwana, showing off his skills, entertaining the crowd and teaching youngsters some impressive football tricks.
Race participants will be able to choose between a 1 mile (1.6 km), 3 mile (4.8 km) or 5 mile (8km) fun walk or run. Starting from, and finishing at, the V&A Waterfront, the route will take in the magnificent beachfront promenade and will give walkers/runners an upfront look at the glorious new Cape Town football stadium. Entry forms are available at various sport stores or you can enter online at www.sportrelief.co.za. The entry fees are R35 up to 14 March and R40 for registration at The Lookout, V&A Waterfront from 19 to 21 March.
