Teacher runs Comrades for new school bus

Garlen Fredericks with some of the cross country runners and other pupils, fellow teacher Igshaan Isaacs and acting principal Shaheed Salie.

Garlen Fredericks, a physical education and life skills teacher at Muhammadeyah Primary School (MUPS) in Wynberg will be running his first Comrades ultra marathon, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, on Sunday June 10, to raise funds for a new school mini-bus. The school is appealing to businesses to donate a R1000 per kilometre which will go towards their Running for a MUPS bus campaign.

At the same time Mr Fredericks said he will also be running the 90km race to mark the school’s 90th anniversary next year.

An enthusiastic Mr Fredericks said he started running six years ago after his father passed away. “His death motivated me to run and I have since then run at least 10 marathons and the last one was the Old Mutual Two Oceans ultra marathon.

“I also completed the Slave Route Challenge half marathon (21km) in 1h.42m.

“I have been training for more than a year and that included running the hills in Constantia.

“Since I’ve been running I have lost 12kg.”

He is now ready to tackle the 12-hour race to help the school.

Acting principal Shaheed Salie said the school desperately needs a vehicle to transport the children to sports venues as well as to old age homes where they do their community service.

“The mini-bus is standing on the premises as it is not roadworthy and no longer safe for daily use.
We bought the rust bucket in 1999.”

He said the children and parents are also making an effort to contribute to the project.

The school is appealing to the community to support
them. “This venture is a build-up and ongoing, to the school celebrating its 90th anniversary next year, in January 2019.”

If anyone is interested in supporting the school, call 021 797 8047 for more information.