Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Epic run for kids at risk
A NOORDHOEK man is going the extra mile for underprivileged children with terminal illnesses.
Avid runner Jonathan Aitken, 52, will run from Cape Town to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in May to raise funds for the charity called Footprints for Sam.
The organisation was founded after the death of 1-year-old Samuel John Frederick Platt in 2016 of sepsis, a life-threatening complication of an infection. He spent his entire life in intensive care.
His parents wanted his health-care experience, which was far from perfect, to offer assistance to children and families in similar situations.
Aitken is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict and had a three-year bout with stage 4 skin cancer.
“I was ungrateful for the life I had been given and needed to find a purpose and cause bigger than myself. I want to work with people, inspire them and be inspired by them,” he said.
“Sam’s parents do amazing work for disadvantaged families and children, especially children who suffer terminal illnesses. Their son
Samuel died, but he lives on in helping others, which is so noble. My son’s name is also Samuel and there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t appreciate the gift of his life,” Aitken said.
The Noordhoek resident’s journey will take more than three months. He will be running 100 marathons over 100 days and his friend Robbie Ballinger from the US will join him 99 days later. Their journey across Africa will cover more than 4 000km.
However, before the pair run from Cape Town to Kinshasa, they will first have to take care of business at the Two Oceans Marathon next month. The duo will be doing the ultra marathon which starts at the corner of Dean Street/Newlands Main Road and finishes at UCT rugby fields. They will be doing the same route the next day for Footprints for Sam.
“We want to show what the human spirit can achieve. We, who have life, can show our gratitude by being of service to others and carrying messages of hope to those less fortunate than ourselves. It will be a big ask to run back-to-back Ocean Ultras but it will also form part of my preparation for my upcoming epic journey. Being a cancer survivor I am more than delighted to celebrate my health with this challenge.”