Disability council joins Midmar Mile Charity Challenge

THE aQuellé Midmar Mile Charity Challenge has added a disability advocacy partnership to its 2026 campaign, with the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) named as one of the event’s official beneficiary organisations.

Since its launch in 2016, the Charity Challenge has raised more than R22 million for charities across South Africa. Organisers say the inclusion of the NCPD marks a strategic expansion of the initiative’s social impact, aligning the world’s largest open-water swimming event with disability advocacy and community-based support.

The partnership was initiated by former Paralympian Adri Visser, who works at the NCPD and returned to Midmar Mile swimming last year after retiring from competitive sport in 2016.

“When I retired as a Paralympic swimmer in 2016, I wasn't sure if I would be swimming Midmar again. And then I just felt like I really wanted to do it recreationally for 2025,” Visser said.

“I started training for it and I really enjoyed it, and I got to connect with Wayne Riddin again and it was just so nice to be back in the community that I was a part of for 16 years.”

Visser, who was born with no hands and one leg and went on to set six African swimming records, said discussions with race director Riddin led to the NCPD being formally added as a charity partner from 2026 onward.

“Midmar is a big supporter of disability swimming… we had a nice chat, and Wayne agreed to make NCPD a charity for 2026 and going forward,” she said.

Four swimmers will raise funds specifically for the NCPD during the Charity Challenge, which runs from 5 to 6 February, ahead of the main Midmar Mile races on 7 and 8 February.

Riddin will complete the 8-mile Charity Challenge swim, while portions of the funds raised by Sydney Olympic silver medallist Terence Parkin and Reino von Wielligh — who are attempting a 32 km swim over the weekend — will also be directed to the NCPD.

Also taking part is 14-year-old Connor Crutchley, one of the youngest swimmers entered in the 8-mile Challenge.

“He had head surgery just when he was born. So he knows what it's like to almost have a disability that could affect the rest of your life. But he's recuperating, and he's doing it because it’s a good cause towards his life story as well,” Visser said.

The NCPD said the partnership extends beyond fundraising, aiming to raise awareness, strengthen advocacy, and increase the visibility of people living with disabilities in mainstream sporting spaces.

“It makes you realise that your work is not just work, it's passion, it’s about giving back to the community and giving a voice for a person with a disability, a voice they don't have themselves,” Visser said.

Organisers said they hope the collaboration will grow in future editions of the event.

“I'm hoping that it will grow more than what it is now. My heart is set on more than 20 swimmers [raising money] for 2027... I think just to see a little bit of growth would be amazing,” Visser said.

Online entries for the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile remain open for a limited time at midmarmile.com.