Put Foot Foundation raises R3.2m for kids and rhinos in madcap annual African bush rally

While entries have closed for the 2017 Put Foot Rally (19 June to 6 July 2017), you can still support the Put Foot Foundation’s associated fundraising campaign or those of any its entrants.

Anyone, any route, any car

The Put Foot Foundation was founded in 2012 by rugby legend Bob Skinstad and mates Daryn Hillhouse and Mike Sharman. It’s one of Southern Africa’s bright charity crowdfunding stars, with R3.2 million raised since 2012.

The rally itself is an annual 8,000km trek across South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. Anyone can join in, driving any car – and apparently, they can take any route.

“With this rally, we want to prove that you don’t need a 4x4 to do African travel,” said Daryn on a call from Ohio, where the Foundation is currently expanding.

“We also want people to know travel in Africa is perfectly safe, easy and affordable, and of course we wanted Africa’s many committed fans all over the world to have this chance to give back.”

Anyone can give

How does fundraising around the rally work, and how can the public get involved? To qualify, entrants must raise a minimum of ZAR 750/USD 50 and keep raising funds while “putting foot” onto fuel pedals through the southern African hinterland in the milder months of the year.

Drivers can run their online fundraising projects from their mobile phones, soliciting donations from their personal networks to support the Foundation’s work.

Where the money goes

Put Foot’s primary objective is to provide needy children en-route with South African-made shoes (16,800 pairs since 2012).

This year Put Foot will introduce The Shoe That Grows, which comes with clips and buttons, so they can be extended as the wearer grows. “We’re aiming to raise at least $10,000 for the 2,000 pairs we want to donate in June,” Daryn says.

The other aim is rhino conservation, another cause that is close to Africans’ hearts. Thus far, the Foundation has handed over more than ZAR 500,000 to charities involved in rhino conservation.

Have fun doing good

Obviously, the objective is also to have as much fun as possible, says Daryn. But it can be a life-changing experience, he says – for the children as much as the drivers who physically put shoes onto their feet.

“We call it the greatest social rally on the face of the earth – five countries, five checkpoints and five parties over 18 days! But there’s a more philosophical part to it too. You can really feel the difference you’re making. That’s why we ask people to fundraise to be able to enter; you don’t want to arrive at this checkpoint somewhere out in the wild and see happy faces all over the place without feeling like you’re a part of it. It’s one of the greatest things you can do.”

Support hope, pride and dignity in Africa’s children! Donate to a GivenGain fundraising project for the Put Foot Rally or directly to the Put Foot Foundation.

About GivenGain

GivenGain is global online fundraising platform that enables charities to accept donations in multiple currencies, wherever they are. It is known primarily for three things:

• Individual fundraisers use GivenGain to rally their personal networks to fundraise for charities. Join at https://www.givengain.com/join/.
• Charities use GivenGain to build a global network of committed fundraisers and donors. Sign up at https://www.givengain.com/list/ or learn more at https://support.givengain.com.
• GivenGain enables donors to give to charities in eight currencies, from anywhere in the world.

Since 2001, more than 2,100 charities have used GivenGain to raise more than $33 million from over 140,000 donors in 193 countries. The platform collaborates with the world’s leading nonprofit organisations, such as WWF, Unicef, Habitat for Humanity, The Red Cross, Missing Children and MSF, and partners with major payment platforms to help you receive donations from anywhere in the world – smoothly, securely and cost-efficiently. All donations made on GivenGain are managed by the GivenGain Foundation, a nonprofit organisation registered in Switzerland.

Contact details

For more information, please contact:

Marius Maré

marius.mare@givengain.com

Daryn Hillhouse

shoesonfeet@putfootfoundation.org