Ronaldinho’s blade destroyed in fire

GEORGE NEWS - Young Ronaldinho Davidson, the official beneficiary of RUN2RAISE, lost his prosthetic running blade when his family's house in Rosedale burned down in December. All is not lost for the 11-year old boy though, as he will again benefit from the RUN2RAISE event that will take place on Friday 1 May at Tramonto Farm and Fellow in Geelhoutboom.

Elna Schwartz, driving force and main organiser of the event, said as Ronhaldino cannot run without a purpose-made running blade, they are looking at ways to get him a new one. At least R50 000 is needed.

The event first took place in 2016, and in 2018 when Ronaldinho was identified as beneficiary, all funds raised - R15 000 - was contributed to a running blade which enabled him to run his first three kilometres in the event.

Mike Barkley of Barkley Oates Incorporated has known Ronaldinho since he was a baby. He described him as a fantastic and lively young boy who does everything other children do. He said that Ronaldino's blade can't be fixed and he has already contacted a representative of the manufacturers, Össur, in South Africa to see what can be done.

Schwartz said the arrangements for this year's event, the fifth, are on course. With the event growing every year, about 400 participants are expected and it is hoped that at least R15 000 will be raised.

Plans are also in the pipeline to attract a well-known celebrity.

Details
The distances and entry fees are as follows:

10km licensed athletes - R55;
10km unlicensed athletes - R90;
3km fun run (minimum age nine years) - R20;
21km licensed athletes - R65
21km unlicensed athletes - R100

The event will start at 08:00. More details will be announced later.

Everybody is welcome to get involved.

Call Schwartz on 044 884 0144 or send an e-mail to Elna.Schwartz@avisbudget.co.za.

RUN2RAISE is registered on the Nedbank Running Club calendar, subject to the rules of Athletics SA and ASWD.
The RUN2RAISE trust account is established with Barkley Oates Incorporated.

Ronaldinho Davidson at last year's RUN2RAISE event, carried high by Xolani Luvuno, who earned instant fame in 2018 when he completed the whole Comrades marathon on crutches. With them is Elna Schwartz, driving force and main organiser of the event.