(Cape Town, 6 September 2017) Charitable organisations wishing to be considered to become official beneficiaries of the 2018 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, through the Two Oceans Marathon Initiative (TOMI), must submit their applications by 19 September 2017.
TOMI was launched ahead of the Two Oceans Marathon in 2012. As an entity of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, the body identifies beneficiaries that compliment the organisation’s support of education, environment, health and athletics development.
Applications from across South Africa are accepted, provided that the project put forward in the organisation’s application is based in Cape Town.
According to Dr David Maralack, Chairman of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, hundreds of thousands of Rands are raised and divided among these beneficiaries every year.
“We raise funds for these beneficiaries in a number of ways: runners have the opportunity to make a donation to one of our official beneficiaries when they enter our events, while we also generate funding through our own projects like Race Day gazebo bookings. TOMI enables us to consolidate these collective efforts and support a variety of community initiatives.”
Through generous runner donations and funds raised by the organisers, almost R300 000 was raised ahead of the 2017 OMTOM and provided a welcome boost to the Wildlands Conservation Trust, Christel House South Africa, Breadline Africa and the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children.
“We strongly believe in supporting the communities in which we operate while contributing to sustainable change in South Africa, and we encourage our runners to embrace our motto #RunAsOne as a way of living. That is also why we, through TOMI, support initiatives like the #GOGREEN school desks campaign, as well as athletics development initiatives including the Western Province Athletics Street Athletics programme,” adds Dr Maralack.
Charitable organisations with projects that match TOMI’s support pillars can learn more about the beneficiary programme and selection criteria, and download the application form from http://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/information/tomi-beneficiary-application-process. All applications must be submitted by by close of business on 22 September 2017.
Organisations that are not selected as OMTOM beneficiaries will have another opportunity to get involved. In addition to the beneficiary programme, charities can also apply to buy group entry packages and use the 2018 OMTOM as a fundraising platform. Applications to become a 2018 charity partner will open in October 2017. Charities chosen as OMTOM beneficiaries will not be able to participate in the Charity Entry process.
