Ironman Foundation to Support Multiple Initiatives as Part of Ironman 70.3 World Championship in South Africa

The Ironman Foundation will distribute more than $100,000 in charitable giveback to support the Port Elizabeth region in conjunction with the 2018 Isuzu Ironman 70.3 World Championship, including a Legacy Project with Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity Trust. In addition, eight-time Ironman World Champion and South Africa native Paula Newby-Fraser has been named a special Ironman Foundation Ambassador in honor of the occasion.

Legacy Project with Ironman 4 the Kidz

The Ironman Foundation has joined forces with the local Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity Trust to complete four Legacy Projects in Nelson Mandela Bay. Ironman 4 the Kidz was founded in 2005 by rugby legend Garth Wright and his lifelong friend Gary Stephenson and to date, has distributed nearly R15-million to children’s charities in South Africa. The Legacy Projects include:

• Building the new Early Birds Day Care crèche in Sakhasonke Village in Port Elizabeth’s Walmer Township; a visit is planned for Thursday, August 30
• Restoring the Children’s Cottages of the Eastern Province Child and Youth Centre; a service project is planned for Monday, September 3
• Providing a new Isuzu school bus for the Heatherbank Pre- and Primary School which will transport the youngsters from the Walmer Township daily
• Building a “Learn to Swim” pool at the new community centre in Walmer in conjunction with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

“One of the lessons that we have learned in our 14 years of providing financial assistance to beneficiaries of the Ironman 4 The Kidz Charity is that there is never enough that you can do,” said Gary Stephenson, Trustee Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity Trust. “We welcome this opportunity to partner with the Ironman Foundation and raise some additional funds to dedicate to specific Legacy Projects during the hosting of the 2018 Isuzu Ironman 70.3 World Championship.”

Inside Ironman Village in the Ironman Foundation area on Wednesday, August 29 through Friday, August 31, athletes are invited to pack a backpack for the students served by the Eastern Province Child and Youth Centre. The backpacks will be delivered by athletes and volunteers on Monday, September 3, during the Ironman Foundation service project where they will meet the students and help paint and restore school cottages.

“It is an honor to be named a special Ironman Foundation Ambassador for the 2018 Isuzu Ironman 70.3 World Championship,” said Ironman Hall of Fame Member Paula Newby-Fraser. “To meet the children, participate in the Legacy Project and give back to the community will be a true highlight.”

Women For Tri Special Grant Presentation

Women For Tri, an initiative of the Ironman Foundation launched by Ironman to bring more women into the sport of triathlon, will present a special grant to Ketsh Up, a local, all-women’s triathlon club. The award will be used to host training and skills clinics to empower the women to swim, bike and run.

Women For Tri Advisor Katherine “Kelly” Lang, famous for her long-running character Brooke Logan on CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful will host an exclusive invite-only Women For Tri Panel & Tea. The special Women For Tri grant will be presented to Ketsh Up as part of the event. Panelists include professional and age-group athletes, local to South Africa and from around the world.

“This year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship includes nearly 400 additional age-group women racing at the invitation of Women For Tri,” said Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. Representative, Arizona – 9th Congressional District and president of the Women For Tri Committee of Advisors. “Their participation supports Women For Tri’s grant programs, and we’re excited to make a special club grant to Ketsh Up in their honor.”

“We are truly honored to partner with Ironman 4 the Kidz and Ketsh Up and support their initiatives,” said Sarah Hartmann, acting Executive Director of the Ironman Foundation. “Together we’re leaving a lasting impact and our Ironman legacy here in South Africa.”

The Ironman Foundation Community Fund provides community and volunteerism grant opportunities to non-profit organizations where Ironman events are held. In 2018, the Ironman Foundation will distribute more than $1.7 million in grant funding to support the needs of race communities around the world.