Following the cancellation of the 2026 N3TC Drak Challenge due to the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak, Drak Challenge title sponsor N3TC, the race organising committee and the team from Sani 152 were able to distribute important funds to various beneficiaries in the area.
The Drak committee was determined to use the funds donated by sponsor N3TC to support the various organisations that rely on the event to generate the critical income needed to keep their operations running.
N3TC donated R190 000 to the Canyon Kayak Club, organisers of the Drak Challenge, and they were responsible for distributing the money.
The Drak Challenge directly distributed R190 000 to several beneficiaries, including Underberg Primary School, Pevensey Place, Faithway School, the Wattle Project and then to the Sani Round Table.
The local Round Table, known as Sani 152, were responsible for allocating R90 000 funds received from the Drak Challenge.
Pevensey Place, Giants Cup Animal Welfare, Honorary Officers, Tidy Towns, Underberg Emergency Medical Services and the CHOC Foundation were all recipients of over R90 000 that was donated.
"On behalf of Sani 152, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to N3TC for their generous donation and continued support of our community," Sani 152 chairman Michael Beghin said.
"Although the Drak Challenge was unfortunately unable to take place this year due to the risks associated with Foot and Mouth Disease, N3TC still came to the party and made a valuable contribution.
"These funds are greatly relied upon by the various beneficiary organisations and make a meaningful difference to the work they are able to do within our community.
"Round Table is extremely grateful for N3TC’s ongoing support. Your generosity enables us to continue assisting the charitable organisations and people who need it most. We sincerely appreciate your partnership and look forward to continuing to work together in the years ahead."
For the Drak Challenge, assisting organisations that play such an important role in making the event work every year was an easy decision.
"These organisations and their people do such incredible work at our event as well as throughout our community and we felt that it was important that we supported them," head of the Drak Challenge organising committee Greg Hitchins said.
"Their support and volunteer work during the Drak Challenge plays such an important part in making the event a success and keeping the focus on the community that these donations are an important recognition for their hard work.
"To N3TC we are incredibly grateful for your continued support of our event and the local Underberg community."
The 2027 Drak Challenge has been confirmed to be taking place from 30-31 January.