A goal is like a mountain top. When you look upwards you can see it, but the footpath with its many twists and turns only reveals itself when you actually start the climb.

As you know, I am currently training to compete at the Spec-Savers Ironman event in April 2012 to help raise awareness and funds for the SA National Council for the Blind. A donor page at Do it for Charity has been created to support our efforts.

Reflecting on my recent Midmar Mile experience, I realised that my endurance training is on track, but technically I have a lot to learn about swimming if I want to improve on my time. I discussed this with my coach and he agreed to help me, but this would mean that I would have to upgrade my gym membership in order to attend his swim sessions, some of which take place at a Virgin Active branch that is not covered by my "local" membership.

With no financial backing, I simply do not have the money to pay the additional gym fees, but I was desperate and decided to ask for help. I do not enjoy asking, but I also do not enjoy swimming at a snail’s pace (sometimes it feels more like I’m a tortoise).

A week ago I received the good news that Virgin Active SA will be assisting me with a 12 month sponsored national membership.

I am overjoyed and very proud to call Virgin Active my Official Health & Fitness Partner. Because of their intervention I’m now this much closer to the mountain top, and with some luck I will get there in decent shape.

It is not about one person trying to do everything; it’s about a lot of people doing their tiny bit. I’m hoping that if we all do just a little bit, we can achieve something truly significant.

Thank you all, and Virgin Active in particular, for your support.

Francois Jacobs

Francois Jacobs (41) is doing the IronMan challenge to the benefit of Council in 2012. He has setup a Facebook page to increase support for his participation, and in so doing to increase support for us.

See this lovely Thank You letter he posted on the Facebook page:
"You will have gathered from the number of hits on this FB page that I know a fair amount of people and they, in turn, know a lot of people. But what is not obvious from this is the caliber of some really amazing people who have helped me to get to this point.

I think of people such as Pam Reynecke who took on the daunting task of teaching a crazy blind guy how to swim from scratch, with a full-day follow-up swim session by Georgie Thomas, exceptional guide athletes such as Jurie Krige and now Kevin Willemse who were prepared to sacrifice a much faster personal Ironman time to enable me to complete the event. There's Allan Williamson who juggles his schedule to do neighbourhood afternoon runs with me, Theo Coetzee who always manages to find a beer stop along a social cycling route, long-time friend Vanessa Ivorson who once put us up for Ironman weekend when we couldn't afford peak season accommodation tariffs, members from Nico Sterk's training squad who are always willing to give me a ride to swim and track sessions. The list is endless. What they all had in common is that they were confronted with the unknown, and I am sure they must have had misgivings, but they all put their prejudices around blindness aside and gave of themselves to change my life completely.

If this was only my sports-related connections, imagine the length of the list if I had to elaborate on the many people who so generously give of themselves whenever they see a need.

I don't know why they do it, and neither do I think that I'm the only lucky recipient of such unselfish acts of kindness. In fact, they are all around us.
Humans are a proud species and it is not always easy to accept help, but what I am learning from all this is to accept with grace and to assist others wherever I can. It is once we have started giving that we realise that it is often more rewarding than receiving. And when you are presented with the opportunity to give, it is not about returning the favour, but rather to become part of the chain and help whoever you can by whatever means you can.

What a long-winded soapbox soliloquy, when the only thing I really wanted to say was "Thank you" - to all of you.
In case you were wondering, I am completely sober, I promise :-)

And a final thought for now: While I am grateful and humbled by some of your comments, I want to stress that this whole drive is not about me or about you, but about an organisation that also has a large volunteer contingent and which provides essential services to some less fortunate than you or me. I hope that through this campaign we can ensure the continued delivery on some crucial projects that are aimed at the upliftment and advancement of blind individuals.

Thank you very much for your comments on my wall. They are inspirational, and I appreciate every one of them."

Fundraising is fun and rewarding. Not only will you experience a true sense of satisfaction as you assist visually impaired people, but you will also educate your family, friends and colleagues about the challenges blind people face every day.

By following the two basic steps of fundraising, you'll be able to ask everyone to make a donation.

1. Choose your activity.
2. Tell everyone you know - send messages to your family, friends, clubs, venues you frequent, colleagues, suppliers, local businesses, schools etc.

If you're one of those people who has everything, we suggest asking your friends and family for donations instead of birthday, engagement, wedding or christening presents. This is such a simple and rewarding way to celebrate all occasions.

On the other hand, if you enjoy a challenge, you can take part in an organised event like a travel adventure, walk or run and ask everyone to sponsor you.

Contact us on 012 452-3811 or email us for more information.