The ultramarathon athlete Bennie Roux (41) completed his running project – of more than 220 km across the Free State – today at the Oranje Guest Farm between Fouriesburg and Clarens. Roux ran for the benefit of AfriForum’s Trauma Support Unit to support victims of violent crime – especially of farm attacks and farm murders.
Roux and the other athletes ran a distance of 17 km today. They arrived at 12:00 at the Oranje Guest Farm’s Rose Festival and enjoyed the day with the festivalgoers.
“With this project, I wanted to create awareness for farm attacks and farm murders, and also inform the public of the trauma that goes hand in hand with these cruel crimes. We visited the farms of victims who survived such tragedies and talked with them. The project once again revealed the braveness of people who survived farm attacks. It was also a wake-up call that farm attacks should be fought tooth and nail, and I hope this project contributed to that,” says Roux.
“AfriForum’s Trauma Support Unit is left speechless by the public’s support, as well as all the donations that we have received. The project once again proves that our people care for one another – there is hope when we stand together to make a difference. Farm attacks and farm murders constitute a crisis that affects us all, because we are dependant on farmers,” says Johan Kloppers, Spokesperson for #RunforHope at AfriForum’s Trauma Support Unit.
Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, who attended the festivities and addressed the festivalgoers, says that Bennie and his team’s sacrifice is inspiring and creates hope. “The project is an example of people who are willing to use their talents to serve a higher purpose. If everyone of us lived out our calling like Bennie and his team and offered our talents in different areas to solve crises in our communities, no challenge will be too great.”
People can still donate to AfriForum’s Trauma Support Fund:
Beneficiary: AfriForum NPC
Bank: FNB
Account number: 623 498 983 98
Branch: Centurion
Branch code: 261-550
Reference: Trauma support fund
The Trauma Support Unit offers a very unique, personal service to victims of violent crime – especially victims of farm attacks. The unit was established in 2015 and has since grown due to the increase in crime and especially farm attacks. The unit has already supported 238 people, of whom 38 were children. The unit also provides food to poor victims and offers support with, for example, basic medical challenges, the provision of clothing, support during court proceedings, the taking down of affidavits and, in certain cases, the necessary psychological support.
Contact trauma@antiek.afriforum.co.za for more information.
AfriForum would like to thank the following sponsors for their contribution to our campaign:
Accommodation:
Naguiltjie Guesthouse (Villiers); Poelanie’s Guesthouse (Reitz); Lavender Hill Country Estate (Bethlehem); Forget-Me-Not Guesthouse (Bethlehem).
Businesses:
Potato Pride; Ensign Storage Solutions; Romans Pizza (Bethlehem); InteliGro; AgriSeker Onderskrywingsbestuurder; Raman Dhaya Wholesalers; Niin’s Health and Skin Care (Bethlehem).
Physiotherapists:
Lindie van Tonder (Reitz); Laura Naudé (Reitz); Martine Janse van Rensburg (Fouriesburg); Sanette Corbett (Fouriesburg).
Schools:
Hoërskool Witteberg; Hoërskool Reitz; Hoërskool Wilgerivier; Bambi Kleuterskool; Fouriesburg Intermediate School.
Donations:
JJB Bester van Niekerk Boerdery;AfriForum Finansies;Kritzinger (Bethlehem).