"Our mission remains to create a fund, which will continue in perpetuity to assist physically disabled children who require financial assistance either for equipment, medical treatment or professional help. This assistance will create, in one form or another, a better quality of life for these children and their families," comments Lubner.
This year's challenge will take place on 29 and 30 December, and will see athletes of all ages, shapes and sizes descending on Central Beach and the Kurland Polo Estate in their droves, to compete in the many different events on offer.
"The first day of this year's challenge takes place down on Central Beach with an ocean swim, ocean paddling events, a 10km run and a fun walk along the beach for the family. The second day moves competitors up to the Kurland Polo Estate where competitors can take part in a staged multi-discipline event or enter the events separately. These include a dam swim, mountain bike race, trail runs and even a Kids of Steel event. Whatever your skills level or interest, we have put together a programme that ensures that there is something for everyone," explains Tony Lubner, co-founder of the Sabrina Love Foundation.
What began as a swim-of-faith by 12 athletes as a fundraising initiative for the Sabrina Love Foundation, the event now attracts over 3,000 contestants annually and is seen as a highlight on the Plettenberg Bay annual event calendar for both holidaymakers and locals looking to have a little fun all while supporting a good cause.
The Foundation is currently assisting 94 children with intense physio and occupational therapy and where necessary, the services of a full-time trained field worker. In addition, its day care centre attends to the daily needs of a further 27 children.
Contribution to society
"I don't think any of us ever anticipated just how big this would become. And while our initial aim was to assist special needs children between one and 14 years old, those children who were with us when we first started are now young adults and very much still part of our family. We have thus had to re-examine ways of providing them with the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to society," Lubner comments.
Lubner explains that while there are protected employment programmes available in Knysna, logistically and economically these did not provide a viable long-term solution. The Foundation has since established its own protected employment programme which sees the young adults in its care making practical and marketable products such as unique bangles, stickers and table arrangements. This in turn, Lubner says has opened up a whole new market for products and opportunity which will further serve to benefit the greater community.
Looking forward, Lubner says that rather than replicating their success through opening similar centres around the country, it his vision to rather provide the opportunity for others to learn from their model. In so doing, others will then be equipped to take it forward and themselves reproduce what he refers to as 'centres of excellence' in communities where children with special needs continue to struggle with the social and physical implications of their disabilities.
"We hope to establish our day care centre as formal training centre and as opposed to accommodating more children we will be looking to instead accommodate more volunteers. We already have plans in place to offer formal training programmes to volunteers next year. Ultimately we would like to establish formal internships in collaboration with the Department of Social Development," he explains.
