Padel for Hope: Help save 50-million-year-old rhino from extinction

"The rhinos have walked this planet for over 50 million years, and it's such a big part of our ecosystem for all of us here in Africa," explains Lauren Mark, the event organiser, during her interview on 702’s Breakfast with Bongani.

Her passion is evident as she shares the alarming statistic that only 27,000 rhinos remain worldwide today, with poaching and habitat loss accelerating their path toward extinction.

Padel for Hope represents a fresh approach to conservation fundraising, combining the popular sport of padel with blockchain technology to ensure complete transparency in how donations are utilised. The initiative partners with Hope Social Queen in the United States, with half of all donations directed specifically toward wildlife conservation efforts.

The event will take the form of an Americano tournament hosted at Top Padel in Olivedale on Saturday, November 29th, from noon until 5 pm.

Twenty-four participants will compete, including several notable celebrities who have endorsed he cause.

"We've got Shugasmakx from Skwatta Kamp bringing his racket. Baby McCarthy's bringing his racket. We have Sean Bartlett, Paul Kamanga. They're all coming to play," Mark enthusiastically shares, “These celebrities have been practising; they're telling me they can play."

While the tournament participants will compete for cash prizes, the real winner is rhino conservation. The organisers are encouraging public attendance to support the cause and raise awareness about the plight of rhinos. The blockchain component ensures that every donation is tracked transparently, addressing a common concern in charitable giving about how funds are used.

The timing of this initiative couldn't be more critical. As Mark reminds us, rhinos have existed for 50 million years on our planet, while humans haven't even been around for a million years as a species.

This perspective highlights our responsibility to protect these majesticcreatures that have been part of Earth's ecosystem long before we arrived.

Padel for Hope represents an exciting fusion of sport, technology, and conservation that could serve as a model for future fundraising efforts. For those interested in supporting this worthy cause or simply enjoying an afternoon of competitive padel, all details can be found at http://www.padelforhope.com.

Don't miss the chance to be part of this innovative conservation effort. Head to Top Padel in Olivedale this Saturday and help ensure rhinos remain part of our planet's future.

For more information, listen to the interview below: