Over 60 runners are planning to #Sweat4Sam at the Two Oceans Marathon this weekend in a concerted effort to support children who are fighting for their lives through Footprints 4 Sam:
Cape Town, South Africa (02 April 2025) — This weekend, over 60 determined and dedicated runners will #Sweat4Sam, taking on the Totalsports Two Oceans Half and Ultra Marathon to raise essential funds for critically ill little ones.
Footprints 4 Sam, founded by Melissa and Fred Platt, is a charity focused on supporting children and their families who are facing the daily challenges of living with a life-limiting illness.
The charity exists as the light through the cracks in the Platt’s lives as a love letter to their son, Samuel, who never got to come home; spending the entirety of his short life in hospital before sadly passing away at just over 15-and-a-half months.
Today, Sam’s legacy lives in Footprints 4 Sam, a means to support and make a meaningful difference in the lives of little ones navigating what is often a broken healthcare system.
You can learn more about the charity here.
As such, the participating runners are not just racing for sport; they’re running in solidarity for children in paediatric hospitals across our country.
Elizabeth Dunsmuir know firsthand the immense power of running with intention. When she lost her 13-year-old son, Joshua, to cancer in 2023, Elizabeth turned to running as a way to celebrate his memory and give back to others.
Her running helped her navigate grief. In 2024, she conquered the Two Oceans Half Marathon in a remarkable time of two hours, forty-three minutes and five seconds. Oh, and she also raised R35,326 for Footprints 4 Sam.
This year, Sam’s dad, Fred, will also be participating, marking his 11th marathon in memory of his son, along with Melissa, in what will be her 4th half marathon.
You can support their efforts without lacing up your running shoes by making a donation through Melissa’s campaign, here.
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