Lifesaving SA gifted 200 rescue boards

Cape Town - Lifesaving South Africa was gifted 200 rescue boards - with a value of R2 million - to distribute to each of its clubs, in a Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation gesture aimed at fighting drowning fatalities in South Africa.

Gavin Varejes, President of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa, in Durban on Wednesday evening, announced the R2 million donation and thanked Cell C and Richmark Holdings for the generous contribution to Lifesaving South Africa and also the Princess’s Foundation.

Varejes, synonymous for his generosity and support of the SA Surfing Legends and SA Rugby Legends, said “the new partnership will hopefully continue to encourage different sporting codes to work together and form the bonds, strengths and partnerships that make such a wonderful difference in our Country.”  

Several Springbok legends, among them former Springbok captains Gary Teichmann and John Smit, joined Varejes at the Durban launch of Lifesaving South Africa’s partnership with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.

Her Serene Highness (HSH) Princess Charlene of Monaco (formerly Charlene Wittstock) was also named Patron of Lifesaving South Africa.

Cell C Head of Marketing Doug Mattheus said: Cell C endorses this initiative in growing an awareness around water safety in South Africa and deems it a great privilege to be associated with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation SA.

Lifesaving South Africa President Dylan Tommy and SASCOC President Gideon Sam both expressed gratitude to HSH Princess Charlene and Varejes for their contribution to raising the profile of Lifesaving in South Africa, both on a social level and as a sport.

Tommy said “we are extremely grateful to HSH Princess Charlene for agreeing to serve as the Patron for Lifesaving South Africa. With the Princess as our Patron and the partnership we have established with The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation SA, we will be able to achieve far greater success in our fight against drowning in South Africa”.

In 2017, Continental Tyre SA, by way of its General Tire brand, committed to a three-year investment and sponsorship of Lifesaving SA, and its Product Communications Manager Ryan Visagie applauded the contributions of Varejes and corporate heavyweights Richmark and Cell C.

“It sends a great message to Corporate South Africa to get involved with saving lives. You can’t put a price on saving a life and it’s fantastic to see the investment in Lifesaving as a result of the partnership with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation SA,” said Ryan Visagie, Continental Tyre SA.