Chris Bradley, aged 88, is taking on the mammoth task of walking 700km over the course of three months to raise funds for the Tharros Child and Youth Care centre in Hankey.
An accidental fire ravaged the centre in September 2021, rendering it inoperable.
The tragedy spurred Bradley into action and the idea for Chris’s Walk for Courage was born.
Bradley is the father of Therese Sampson, founder of the Tharros centre. He currently resides in Somerset West in the Western Cape.
When he started planning his walk, he wanted to walk from Somerset West to Hankey – a distance of 700km.
It was decided, however, that he would not walk the route due to his age and the logistics around guaranteeing his safety.
It was agreed that he would cover the distance by doing daily walks, a minimum distance of 10km per day, until he has completed the 700km distance. He will embark upon walks around Somerset West and the Hankey area – structuring the final leg of his journey so that it ends at Tharros.
Chris’s Walk for Courage will commence on April 4, and he has allotted himself three months in which to reach his goal. He is to walk consecutive days with one rest day per week.
Sampson had the following to say about her father’s endeavour, “He has always been an avid walker, even hiker, I would say. At 78 years old, he completed the full Camino de Santiago in Spain.
“Since then, walking has become his go-to place, which he does at least twice a week, walking between 5km and 16km at a time.
“My parents have been a huge support to me in my journey with Tharros. They have been a part of the celebrations and the struggles, always there to listen and guide.
“Early last year, my dad mentioned that when he turns 90, he would like to walk in aid of Tharros.
“The fire gave him a reason to do it sooner. The first 16 days of the walk will be dedicated to the individual 16 children who were in our care on the day of the fire.
“The name Chris’s Walk for Courage was chosen because Tharros means courage in Greek, and that is what every child who crosses our path has.
“Now, my father is showing the same in his heartfelt venture to see Tharros restored.”
The monetary goal for this project is to raise at least R100 000, which will go towards the restoration of the centre, funding their projects in the area, and the education and training of child and youth care workers that are so desperately needed in order for Tharros to make a difference in the community they so love.
Sampson continued, “Donations and sponsorships are our immediate goal and we welcome individuals and businesses to support Dad’s mission. We will post updates of his progress on Facebook and Instagram (@tharroscycc). We will also be holding raffle draws every 100km for those who have entered through sponsorship.”
Companies who would like to donate prizes towards the raffle can contact Taise on 083 500 0910 or tharroscyc@gmail.com.
Potential contributors can contact Sampson for Tharros trust banking details and ways to support this cause. Alternatively, visit their fund raising page at: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/chris-walk-for-courage.
