- Karoline Hanks completed a grueling 171km trail run, raising R100,000 for Project Noordhoeked.
- The funds will secure jobs for four workers and support environmental projects like beach cleanups and invasive plant removal.
- Hanks thanked the Noordhoek community for their heartfelt support.
With the support of the community, the mammoth task of raising R80 000 for the upkeep of environmental projects in Noordhoek was not only reached, but surpassed by another R20 000.
Last month, Project Noordhoeked founder Karoline Hanks set out on a quest to run the gruelling RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town UTCT 100 miler (160 km) in aid of securing the jobs of four men in her employ (“Woman to run 160km to to keep Noordhoek beautiful,” People’s Post, 5 November).
Last week, her target of R80 000 was smashed with a total of R100 000 raised.
Reflecting on the trail run on Friday 22 November, Hanks said it was exceptionally tough.
“The race, which started in the CBD at 17:00 on Friday, was exceptionally tough and technical, with 171 km and 8 000 m elevation gain,” she said.
Hanks completed the race in 35:48 and walked away as fifth woman finisher overall.
“There were a few dark moments, but I pushed through, knowing that I had to honour my promise to my 120 plus donors. I am thrilled to have finished, and now we are sitting on R100 000, which is just incredible.”
Targets
This funding will keep Project Noordhoeked community going for another year.
The NPO is based in Noordhoek where they employ four men to clear alien vegetation, beach clean-ups and maintain footbridges, to name a few activities.
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“We keep Noordhoek beach/wetland and lagoon free of ocean plastic and we also tackle invasive plants in the wetland, keep it free of snares, and collect rubbish from the roadsides and river edges.”
Hanks is already setting new targets for next year.
“For 2026, I will have to come up with another madcap idea to raise funds, perhaps an Everesting challenge up and down Chappies, let’s see,” she mused.
Hanks thanked Noordhoek residents who generously supported the fund raising efforts.
“It was a joy to run along our beautiful beach and have so much cheerful and heartfelt support along Beach Road to the Noordhoek aid station,” she said. “Thank you Noordhoek, we can now continue as a project for at least another year.”
