On this page
Vision
The Pace Foundation aims to assist all families going through trauma and emergency financial crises. As a young couple losing their daughter at the young age of 2, Dewald and Yolandi Fourie did not have the finances readily on hand, and accompanying that stress was the fact that their 2-year-old daughter was fighting for her life. This is something they do not wish for, any parent. Thus, the Pace Foundation was born to assist with that financial stress.
Mission
Dewald and Yolandi Fourie made it their mission to assist with financial aid in trauma emergency situations and aftercare where necessary. In the worst-case scenario, providing the necessary support and assistance to the parents.
What we do
Welcome to our charity foundation, where we believe in the power of running to transform lives and support families in need. We understand that running can be a powerful way to build resilience, overcome challenges, and find strength in the face of adversity. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to use running as a platform to raise funds and awareness for families who are facing a traumatic event.
Our foundation is focused on using running events, such as marathons, half-marathons, and 5K races, as a way to raise funds to provide financial assistance to families who are struggling to cope with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a traumatic event. By participating in our events, runners have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families in need, while also achieving their own personal fitness and wellness goals.
We believe that every step counts when it comes to supporting families in need, and we’re committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Through the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our runners, we’re able to provide vital financial assistance to families who are facing unexpected medical bills, funeral costs, or other expenses related to a traumatic event.
If you’re a runner looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of families in need, we invite you to join us in our mission. Whether you’re a seasoned marathon runner or just starting out, there’s a place for you in our community. By participating in our events, you can help us raise funds and awareness, while also connecting with like-minded individuals who share your passion for running and helping others.
Together, we can make a positive difference in the world, one step at a time. Join us on the path to supporting families in need and transforming lives through the power of running.
How it started
The charity organization was inspired by Dewald and Yolandi Fourie in remembrance of their daughter, Karla who passed away at a young age of 22 months.
After more than a decade of grieving over the loss of their little girl, a married couple from Bloemfontein found peace after completing the gruelling Comrades Marathon in August 2022 in Karla’s memory.
Shortly after, Dewald and Yolandi Fourie decided they want to help families who are going through a similar traumatic experience and officially launched The Pace Foundation on 11 February 2023.
Through the foundation, launched four days after Karla’s birthday, the pair and members will assist those confronted with trauma and financial emergencies by running for a cause.
As young parents at the time, 28 and 23 respectively, Dewald and Yolandi lost Karla as a 22-month-old toddler after she fell into a swimming pool.
Karla was hospitalised for five days before she passed away on 10 December 2009.
While their daughter was fighting for her life, they were faced with additional stress because they did not have finances readily at hand.
As they do not wish this for any parent, they founded The Pace Foundation to assist with financial stress in traumatic events.
Kayla, their other daughter, was just over three years old at the time of Karla’s untimely death. Natasha, their third born, was born on 2 December 2010, a year after Karla’s passing.
In fact, exactly a year after her parents ran into the hospital with Karla on 5 December 2009, they walked out of the same hospital with her. The time difference being two hours.
A new chapter in their life story opened after completing the Comrades Marathon of about 90 km. They felt they had to achieve this before they could move on with their lives, for themselves and their two other daughters.
However, they will always remember Karla fondly.
In a heart-wrenching moment, Dewald and Yolandi Fourie crossed the Comrades’ finish line together, after many hardships, holding a banner in Karla’s honour.
A friend handed them the banner about a kilometre before the line.
Dewald carried a wooden cross, slightly bigger than his hands, he had made in honour of Karla for the duration of their entire race ¬- 11 hours and 33 minutes. By completion, they found peace.
In 2018, after watching the Comrades on television, Dewald decided to run the marathon the next year for the 10th anniversary of Karla’s death. At that time, he weighed 145 kg but previously was an avid runner.
Yolandi agreed to do it with him, and they trained for the race. She, however, was injured in a car accident three months prior to the race and Dewald attempted it on his own.
Heartbreakingly, at 80 km he missed the cut-off time for that leg by two seconds in his first race in 2019.
Their Comrades journey for Karla came full circle when they attached the cross from the 2022 race to Karla’s tombstone in the presence of Kayla and Natasha. The couple covered almost 4 000 km by foot over four years to get to that point. By the launch of the foundation, he weighed 103 kg.
What causes do we support
The Pace Foundation assists people in need who are/were battling with trauma emergency life situations.
We aim to create campaigns for anything that has a positive impact on individuals, communities, and the environment.
Charity Registration
NPO Reg no: 2022/838077/08
Banking Details
| Orginazation Name: | The Pace Foundation |
| Reg no: | 2022/838077/08 |
| Bank Name: | Standard Bank |
| Account Number: | 10190211383 |
| Account Type: | Current Account |
| Branch: | Brandwag |
| Branch Code: | 055534 |
| Code electronic payments: | 051001 |
| SWIFT: | SBZA ZA JJ |
