Twenty years ago, longtime friends Gary Stephenson and former Springbok scrumhalf Garth Wright lined up at Hobie Beach to compete in the inaugural Isuzu Ironman SA African Championship.
They aimed to make a difference in the lives of children in need, and that is how the Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity Trust was born.
Later, Wright and Stephenson were joined by Ironman legend Michelle Enslin and a team of trustees.
Now, after two decades, they remain active in the initiative, buoyed by the support of competing athletes, sponsors and the public for 26 children’s establishments and charities that they assist.
Thanks to their enduring effort, they have won the sports category of The Herald Citizens of the Year awards, which Stephenson hopes will open more doors in their mission to raise funds to help children.
The trust continues to raise funds and offer support directly to children’s charities throughout SA, with a focus on regions that host an Ironman event.
In their first year, 2005, they raised R11,000, which supported two children’s charities in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The following year they were back on the beach, along with eight other athletes in the new Ironman4theKidz branding, and raised R105,000.
Ironman approached them after that and embraced the initiative, which became the official fundraising arm of the SA event.
Now the initiative supports 22 registered NPOs with nutrition, medical costs, education, sports and, when budgets allow, capital and projects.
“We have raised R35m to date, and we are still aiming for the R5m target this year.
“All of the cash goes to assist local children’s homes around the area where the races are held,” Stephenson said.
“The majority are in the Nelson Mandela Bay region, and we also have some [children] in homes in Durban and in Mossel Bay.
“We also have the legacy of the event in East London; we are still assisting some of the children’s homes there as well.
“We mainly do projects with [children], so we have a day care centre in Walmer Township that we built for them and funded.”
Numerous new projects have been lined up.
“We are busy looking at Heatherbank School, in trying to move some of their classes into the senior school area, and hopefully be able to put two new classrooms up this year.
“[Also, at] the Khayalethu children’s home, we have done a lot of capital projects, including putting in a big swimming pool to ensure the kids can learn to swim properly and understand water safety.
“We have given buses, kombis, and all sorts of schooling-type wear to other establishments to ensure that kids can get to school and get themselves educated through to the stage where they go to university.
“We have got to a point this year where we have even been able to get involved with organisations and get bursaries for some of the kids who are leaving their homes and are going to university.”
Stephenson said some of the now-adult beneficiaries of Ironman4theKidz had returned to thank them and offer their help.
Initially, they managed the sponsorships and branding themselves, but as the brand and charity grew, they employed a manager to oversee operations and add a much-needed feminine touch.
Julia Banach has been effective in this role and has ensured that the charity has grown over the years, raising more than R3m in 2024, and bringing the total to R34m in the 19 years since its establishment.
Over the years, they have also attracted many top SA athletes who have competed in the famous orange kit.
In 2025, in celebration of its 20th anniversary, the charity aims to raise R5m for the children.
Stephenson acknowledged the volunteers who were involved with the initiative, adding that all funding raised went to Ironman4theKidz.
“We would like to thank The Herald and everyone who is involved in the prestigious awards.
“We are very humbled and hope we can use this opportunity to spread our wings a bit further and raise some more money to help the kids.”
Ironman4thekidz will be celebrated alongside other category winners at a glitzy honorary gala awards ceremony on September 19 at the Sun Boardwalk Convention Centre.
For any queries or to book a spot at the gala awards, email The Herald’s marketing manager, Berna Ulay-Walters, at ulayb@theherald.co.za.
The event sponsors are: Co-title sponsors: Nelson Mandela University; Gold sponsor: Standard Bank; Silver sponsor: SPAR; Bronze sponsor: Continental Tyre SA; Support partners: Vodacom, Three Peaks Wine and JTC Decor Events, Capsicum Culinary Studio; and Venue sponsors: Sun Boardwalk.
The Herald
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