CAPE TOWN – Endurance athlete Patrick Bowman will be taking on a tough challenge this weekend in support of the Smile Foundation.
This registered non-profit organisation (NPO) works alongside skilled surgeons and partner hospitals across South Africa to provide corrective reconstructive surgery for children living with cleft lips and palates, as well as burns and other, similar, conditions. These procedures do more than meet a medical need – they restore the small, essential parts of childhood: the ability to eat with ease, speak clearly, and smile without hesitation, the NPO states.
With each operation, a child is given the chance to return to the world with confidence, dignity, and a renewed sense of belonging – stepping away from the stigma, bullying and daily challenges that might otherwise define their life.
Over the years, the NPO, along with its team of skilled surgeons, have conducted numerous such life-giving surgeries at the Tygerberg Hospital in Parow, Cape Town.
ALSO READ: From surgery to starting line: Young man’s journey began with Smile
Bowman, a runner, will on Saturday 21 March be seen on the Sea Point Promenade where he will take on The Prom Backyard Ultra in support of Smile Foundation’s Miles for Smiles campaign.
The Prom Backyard Ultra is an endurance event that requires runners to complete a 6,7km loop every hour, on the hour, until only one participant remains. There is no traditional finishing line; the race continues until all runners, but one, can no longer continue.
Success demands grit, mental toughness, and the ability to push forward long after fatigue sets in. Bowman plans to run for as long as his body and mind allow, confident in his endurance and determination to go beyond 24 hours, the Smile Foundation said.
“This challenge is about more than just distance,” said Bowman.
“It is about committing to keep going even when everything tells you to stop. If I am going to test my limits mentally and physically, it should be for a cause that truly changes lives.”
The Smile Foundation said that funds raised through the Miles for Smiles campaign would directly support critical surgeries, helping more children access the care they need.
Members of the public are encouraged to support the initiative by donating to the fundraising campaign, sharing the story on social media, and following the events as they unfold on race day.
Visit backabuddy.co.za and search for “Miles for Smiles”.
