Two Cape Town firefighters, Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan, will run the Totalsports Two Oceans half marathon in full firefighting gear to raise awareness for fire safety and charity funds for the Volunteer Wildfire Services. Last year, they raised R181,000 for the VWS, and their goal is to achieve similar or greater backing this year. The VWS is entirely funded through public and corporate donations, and the duo’s selfless actions demonstrate their unwavering dedication to their mission of safeguarding the city and its people.
The Totalsports Two Oceans half marathon is a grueling 21-kilometer race in Cape Town. This year, two courageous firefighters, Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan, will run in full firefighting gear to raise awareness for fire safety and charity funds for the Volunteer Wildfire Services. The duo ran the race in the past and raised an impressive R181,000 for the VWS.
On April 14, Cape Town’s streets will once again witness the inspiring sight of two of the city’s most courageous firefighters, Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan, taking part in the remarkable Totalsports Two Oceans half marathon. The duo isn’t just aiming to complete the grueling 21-kilometer race. They have set themselves the formidable challenge of running in full firefighting gear, an endeavor both inspiring and demanding.
The pair isn’t new to this unique undertaking. Their journey kicked off as a daring initiative aimed at raising fire safety awareness and amassing charity funds. The focus of their campaign is the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), a non-profit group that is essential in tackling the widespread wildfires plaguing the region.
In the past year, the gallant efforts of Jermaine and Renaldo garnered an impressive R181,000 for the VWS, courtesy of both individual and corporate sponsors. This substantial total has reignited hopes for similar, or potentially greater, backing this year. As Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, rightly points out, the recent wildfire season in Cape Town has been amongst the most demanding in record. “The City is profoundly grateful to VWS, and we’re immensely proud of Jermaine and Renaldo for their actions,” he stated.
Despite its crucial contributions, VWS is entirely funded through public and corporate donations. Roughly R7,500 is required to train each volunteer firefighter and provide basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). On top of this, the brave volunteers are personally responsible for the additional expenses associated with their backpacks, fire boots, and other firefighting essentials.
Claire Lötter, the CEO of VWS, has conveyed her deep gratitude for the selfless actions of Jermaine and Renaldo. She highlighted the fact that VWS’ significant expenditure is spent on maintaining their aging fleet of vehicles, including a 28-year-old Land Rover people carrier. Lötter added, “The cost of maintaining our ageing fleet is depleting our resources, and we’re desperately trying to reduce this load.”
This year, the dynamic duo has decided to add a self-containing breathing apparatus (SCBA) to their gear, increasing their load by an additional ten kilograms. This new addition is another clear demonstration of their unwavering dedication to their mission.
However, their journey isn’t simply about the weight of their gear or the distance they will run. It’s a symbolic representation of the burden of their duty as firefighters and the lengths they are willing to go to safeguard their city and its people. This prestigious half marathon isn’t just a race to them; it’s a testament to their resilience and devotion to their cause.
With the marathon date quickly approaching, Cape Town is eagerly looking forward to the return of its firefighting pair. The city’s steadfast support for its heroic duo is evident from the donations and words of encouragement that have started to flow in. As Jermaine and Renaldo gear up to cross the finish line while shouldering the ‘weight of their work,’ they serve as a reminder that heroism isn’t always about extraordinary deeds; it’s about the daily commitment to serve and protect.
As they receive cheers from the supporters, it’s important to remember the significance of their cause. Donations to the VWS can be made directly on their website, www.vws.org.za, or through their social media channels. Every contribution, big or small, goes directly towards supporting these brave volunteers in their battle against the wildfires.
At the heart of it all, it’s not just about a single marathon, or two firefighters. It’s about a community uniting to advocate for a cause, support its heroes, and protect its city. This is the tale of Jermaine and Renaldo, the story of VWS, and ultimately, the story of Cape Town.
The Totalsports Two Oceans half marathon is a 21-kilometer race in Cape Town. This year, two firefighters, Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan, will run in full firefighting gear to raise awareness for fire safety and charity funds for the Volunteer Wildfire Services.
The Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) is a non-profit group that helps tackle the widespread wildfires in the Cape Town region. It is entirely funded through public and corporate donations.
Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan’s goal is to raise awareness for fire safety and charity funds for the VWS. They ran the race in the past and raised an impressive R181,000 for the VWS.
Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan will run the marathon in full firefighting gear, including a self-containing breathing apparatus (SCBA), increasing their load by an additional ten kilograms. Despite this, they remain committed to their mission of safeguarding the city and its people.
People can support Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan’s cause by donating directly to VWS on their website, www.vws.org.za, or through their social media channels. Every contribution, big or small, goes directly towards supporting the brave volunteers in their fight against wildfires.
Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan’s marathon run is not just a race, but a symbolic representation of the burden of their duty as firefighters and the lengths they are willing to go to safeguard their city and its people. Their journey serves as a reminder of the daily commitment to serve and protect, and the importance of community uniting to advocate for a cause and support its heroes.
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