City of Cape Town firefighters, Jermaine Carelse, left, and Renaldo Duncan in the firefighting gear that they’ll run in on Sunday April 16.
Firefighters Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan will take on the Two Oceans half marathon this weekend, in their fire gear, to drum up support (and donations) for the Volunteer Wildfire Services.
This is the second time that the two firefighters will take on the Two Oceans half marathon in their gear.
Mr Carelse, who has been a firefighter for 22 years, is a Divisional Commander, based at Goodwood Fire Station; and Mr Duncan, who has been with the service for 13 years, is currently based at the Sir Lowry’s Pass Fire Station.
The aim is to finish the race in a time of 2hr40min or faster, and to raise some funds for the Volunteer Wildfire Service.
Donations to the VWS can be made via GivenGain directly via their Facebook page
“Volunteer Wildfire Service greatly assist us, so if we can raise a few thousand rands for them, it would be great,” said Mr Carelse.
Mr Duncan added that the kit they will be wearing will add about 5 to 6kg of extra weight and joked that while runners usually opt to run in the most comfortable gear, they had opted to run in the most uncomfortable attire.
“I want to wish Jermaine and Renaldo all the very best for their adventure. It is no easy feat,” said mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith.
“I also want to encourage the public to please donate what they can to the Volunteer Wildfire Service, which is the non-profit that our runaway firefighters are drumming up support for. The VWS is an incredible partner to the various firefighting agencies, and every little bit helps to keep them on the fire line when we need them most.”