Running Wild
Running 1,222 kilometers in 35 days
Raising funds for a school in need
The “Running Wild” Fundraising Campaign is the initiative of Matthew Murray and Charles Raw. These adventure, running – and conservation enthusiasts have decided to do a mammoth run to help raise funds for Velakukhanya Primary School based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Their run is planned to commence February the 1st, 2025 – run from Port Alfred to Cape Town, covering a total distance of approximately 1222 km (just shy of a marathon) each day, for 35 consecutive days.
Charles and Matt chose Velakukhanya Primary School as a project in their beloved province of KwaZulu-Natal, where they want to make a difference to the KwaNgwenya community and to the learners at this school, who did not have the same opportunities as they had, growing up. They are both excited to use their passion for sport and the wilderness to showcase some of the best that South Africa has to offer.
Meet the runners
Matthew Murray and Charles Raw
Matt
Matt’s enjoyment of the outdoors was rooted from a young age. He grew up on a dairy farm in the Natal Midlands and was fortunate enough to spend many of his younger days exploring the bush in Northern Natal at Zuka Private Game Reserve. This was where his love for nature truly took flight. In 2012 Matt finished studying for a business degree at the University of Stellenbosch, it was at this junction that he decided to pursue his passion for nature and sharing it with people. He began his guide training at the renowned Inkwazi Ranger training course at Phinda Private Game Reserve. It was at Phinda that Matt spent the next five years, developing as a guide and guide trainer. During his time at Phinda he was able to explore the opportunity to hopefully make a difference in an area that has given him so much, he is relinquishing the personal challenge of taking on the “hope to run”.
Charles
Charles grew up in Howick in the KZN midlands, where during school he spent a lot of time on the sports field. Every other opportunity he spent outdoors in the Karkloof mountains on their family small holding. In 2013, Charles moved back to Howick after 5 years at Rhodes University where he obtained an honors degree in business management. On his return, he started working at a timber outlet in Howick which he took over in2017. Timber Solutions has fortunately been able to support and sponsor a lot of charity drives and schools in the greater midlands area including KZN Trail Running, Angels Care and Love Howick to name a few.
About Velakukhanya Primary School
The school’s name translated into English means “this is the light”.
Velakukhanya Primary School was established in 1979. This school plays a crucial role in fulfilling children’s right to access education – as enshrined in the South African constitution. It is the only primary school – serving the educational needs of over 2500 children – who call this community, home. The primary feeder creche for Velakukhanya Primary School, is Sicelokuhle Creche, which is one of the creches also supported by Wild Impact and our donors, in this region.
Velakukhanya Primary School is an active participant in Wild Impact’s Echo Environmental Education program. Through this programme we have conducted over 3000 environmental education lessons and 772 learners have been able to go on game drives in the iSimangaliso landscape between July 2022 and June 2023. The school currently has 458 (253 boys, and 205 girls) learners enrolled in Grade’s R (aged 5-6 years old) through Grade 7 (aged 13-14 years old), and a staff complement of 13 teachers, which includes the principal. The school is managed by a School Governing Body that is representative of parents of children enrolled at the school, and teachers working at the school.
How to make a difference
To provide quality education for all learners. Each year since inception, the school has seen a steady increase in the number of learners seeking admission, reflecting the community’s commitment to ensure their children access their constitutional right to education. Although increased enrollment numbers are encouraging, the school currently faces a significant challenge of overcrowding in classrooms. Due to the overcrowding, teachers find it increasingly difficult to conduct classes effectively, and learners experience discomfort – making it hard for them to learn. As a result of these challenges, both teachers and learners struggle to achieve the desired academic results that the school is striving towards.
Recognizing the importance of addressing this issue, Velakukhanya Primary School has approached Wild Impact and is seeking support and funding to alleviate their overcrowding challenges. Construction of 3 new double classrooms to reduce overcrowding and improve learning conditions. It allows for smaller class sizes, personalized attention, and improved concentration, leading to better academic performance. The refurbishment of the existing Admin Block is needed to enhance administration at the school, including record-keeping, communication, coordination, leading to smoother school management and ultimately, to better support for teachers and learners.
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Wild Impact is a Public Benefit Organisation registered in South Africa. Reg. No.: 930002115