Ingane Yami Mandela Rowing Challenge

Two friends who share a passion for helping the less fortunate, Bruce Hughes and Mike Morris, are at it again. Once again they are attempting the impossible to change the lives of South Africa’s most vulnerable children. Their goal: to stationary row for six days, non-stop, covering a distance of 1 460km. That is the distance from Ingane Yami Children’s Village to Robben Island! Hence the name: the MANDELA Rowing Challenge!

Past Events

This isn’t the first time Bruce and Mike have set themselves such an audacious goal. After first hearing about Ingane Yami Children’s Village in 2013, Bruce fell in love with the idea behind it. The idea of rewriting stories. He didn’t waste any time in connecting with Mike from FLASH and getting involved.

That year they entered the Atacama Crossing: a 250km, 6-stage Ultra Marathon! They ran in 40 degree heat with no support! Friends and family rallied behind them, and they were able to raise an incredible R450 000 for the second home at Ingane Yami.

In 2016 the itch to get involved struck the two men again. Together they set out to conquer the Elements Everest Trail Race. The raced around the base of mount Everest at 4500 merters above sea level, covering 160 km with 25000 meters of accent! Again, this challenge was set with Ingane Yami in mind. Bruce and Mike ran to raise funds for a Multipurpose Sports Arena at the Village.

The Mandela Rowing Challenge

Now, in November this year, they will take on their greatest challenge yet. The two men will row on a stationary rower non-stop, day and night for six days! They will do this in one-hour shifts: one rowing while the other rests and recovers. Their goal to complete an audacious 1 460kms! Impact rower, Stefan Terblanche (SA Rugby Legend CEO) will join them during the hardest hours through the night. Thus allowing the rowers 3 -4 hour stretch of sleep. Fortunately, they wont be short on sustenance to keep them going, as SPAR will be sponsoring food for the duration of the challenge. SPAR is the Village’s ongoing monthly food and nutrition supplier.

The rowing machines will not stop, from when they begin at 9.00am on Tuesday, 5 November until they reach their goal on Sunday, 10 November.

Again, the goal is to raise enough money to build a new home. A home for another six orphaned and abandoned children to be rescued, restored and knitted into a forever-family at Ingane Yami.

They have chosen the name The Ingane Yami Mandela Rowing Challenge, hoping that the event will “become an annual event as people try beat the mileage and financial goal which Mike and I achieve” explains Bruce. “Ingane Yami plays such an important part in giving children a second chance in life and instilling family values. Ingane Yami is creating and giving these children a springboard to become the future leaders that our country needs. This is why we need the community to get involved,’’ continues Bruce.

How to Get Involved

The Ingane Yami Mandela Rowing Challenge is taking place at Ingane Yami Children’s Village. To arrange to see the rowers in action please contact Patricia Deacon, Ingane Yami Marketing Manager, on 078 342 0539 or email her on tricia@inganeyami.com.

Concept2 will be providing the rowing machine and necessary tracking equipment to keep tabs on the event. Follow them on Instagram @concept2sa

The bank details to make a donation are: Standard Bank; Branch: 045526; Account Number: 251654605
Please use Ref: MandelaChallange – YOUR NAME

Your support will be greatly appreciated and remember no donation is too small.