The Mitchells Plain LFA has thrown its full weight behind Dane Adams with a back a buddy campaign in conjunction with the Titans Running Club dubbed under the banner of “Go the distance for a deserving player.”
The 15-year-old Dane, a former defender at Lentegeur FC, is now a paraplegic after he allegedly played three matches, under-16, -18 and a senior match in one day and somewhere in between he sustained an injury which changed his life completely.
This prompted the idea from the MPLFA, which is spearheaded by die women’s HOD, Anthea Vember to start this initiative in conjunction with the Titans running club. who will incorporate the campaign into their annual Mitchells Plain road race for 2025.
The race will start at Glendale Secondary School on Saturday (22 November) and each wheelchair runner will have at least a 30-minute headstart before all the other runners.
Vember explained to No Bones with Jones: “We are also grateful for Warrior on Wheels who will be sponsoring him with a racing wheelchair. Dan is paralyzed from the waist down which means he does not move a lot and to think he is still young… one can only imagine his challenges.
“Ever since I visited them I have tried to assist where I can, you know. Look, we can’t change a lot of things but if we can make things a little better and a difference in his life, why not. That is why Mr Gilbert Kruger will be our core runner in the 10km race and we invite everyone to show their support – if you are a runner or not,” Vember added.
According to Vember the idea of the ‘Back a Buddy’ page is a long-term initiative with the expectation that it will continue to raise funds for Dane.
“Have you been to their home and have you seen their living conditions? They reside in a Wendy house which is not ideal for Dane’s situation. I’m also reaching out to some of the councillors to see how we can accommodate them, you know. But, from one mother to another I have to salute Liezl for always staying positive and putting up a brave face for the sake of her son – she is showing that a mother’s love is unrivalled,” Vember concluded.
Dane’s mother Liezl says she is also grateful for the assistance of the broader community.
“I need to personally thank Nazeem for his generosity as he sponsors diapers for Dane. May he always be blessed,” Liezel added.
Meanwhile Titans’ Head of Socials, Crissie Valentine, says they are privileged and excited to help raise awareness for a great cause.
“This is our community and Titans is a community-based club and we have to look out for our community,” Valentine conveyed to No Bones with Jones. “Also, we have to stand together as humanity and help where we can. And if this is going to assist Dane in any way and raise awareness, we are thrilled to be a part of it,” Valentine further stated.
Titans’ MP Titans and Race Director, Bernadette Alexander: also added her voice. “Supporting a paraplegic athlete taking on a 10km or 21 km wheelchair race is an amazing way to promote inclusion, visibility, and empowerment.
“There are concrete ways we can help, depending on the type of support we want to give and what the athlete needs. But it doesn’t stop here as we are embarking on a ‘Diaper Drive for Dane’ in 2026,” Alexandar concluded.
Anyone who wants to assist can join the ‘Go the distance for Dane!’ campaign and log onto
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/danes-world ‘or alternative contact Liezl on +27 62 457 3902 or Anthea on +27 79 898 8788.
