On July 31 we celebrate World Ranger Day … and chat to student conservationist and founder of Run for Rangers, Harry Bailey.
From a young age, Harry Bailey – who hails from Morningside – has been immersed in the world of wildlife and conservation, carrying a torch for rangers across Africa and yearning to do more to support and uplift them. It’s a passion that saw him, as a 17-year-old Grade 12 Hilton College learner, set himself the challenge of running 100km over two days to see if he was as tough as a ranger.
In 2022, having never run more than 5km in his life, he pitched the idea to the organisations Sport for Lives and Project Rhino, trained hard despite challenging health conditions and completed his first challenge, in one piece.
“Run for Rangers is an annual charity event that aims to raise funds to support and uplift game rangers in Africa on the front line of wildlife conservation. Without conservation, we will lose an integral and, in my opinion, one of the best parts of this country,” says Harry, who’s currently studying towards a career as an entry-level network engineer.
“On the whole, the event, which is organised by a team of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about protecting Africa’s wildlife, is designed around starting a dialogue with the rangers. So that they can share their stories – about the work they do, how hard it is, and how underappreciated they are – with people who don’t truly understand,” says Harry adding that he never imagined the fundraising side of it would erupt as well as it did.
“At our first event, our goal was to raise R50 000. Before the event had even started, we reached R100 000.”
Last year, the event grew – as did the terrain – and it became more than just a run. It became an event that challenged people to push themselves to the limit. And they raised just shy of R700 000.
“Running under the hot African sun, over rugged, steep terrain alongside our rangers and wild animals in a world-class Big Five game reserve is an authentic experience that builds relationships across the board. It is also an experience that highlights the lack of funding for conservation across the continent. Our mission is to aid in all aspects from training to assisting the K9 unit and rangers and their families to aerial support to community education and engagement and to bring awareness to the predicament that rangers face with regards to the effects of poaching, and to create awareness for the significant work that Project Rhino is doing.”
And speaking of significant work, Harry’s efforts have certainly not gone unnoticed. This year, along with a handful of other individuals, he is being honoured by African Secret Cream Liqueur through their Secret Hero of Africa initiative for his deep love for conservation and commitment to preserving it for future generations.
“I honestly thought it was a crazy idea to begin with, but look at us go. Our village just keeps on getting bigger as we are joined by other rangers and passionate conservationists – plus a few sporting celebs – who want to get involved. This month – July 26 to 29 if you’re keen – were hosting our third edition of Run for Rangers. We’re still partnered with Sport for Lives and Project Rhino, who’ve been the backbone of this event, and endorsed by the International Ranger Federation and Game Ranger’s Association of Africa. We’re also being supported by Thirsti, Racefoods, Lizzard, Uzwelo, Expandasign and Republik.”
Much like last year’s event, Run for Rangers 2024 will see the team and all participants run 100km over two days through the vast open spaces of Zululand’s Babanango Game Reserve, accompanied by armed anti-poaching rangers.
“Anyone can get involved, regardless of your fitness journey or the physical challenges you might face. The event is by no means easy, but we still want to challenge people to get out of their comfort zones and taste just a little of what life is like for a ranger. At our first event, three out of 12 of us finished. Things get better every year and our incredible team will do its best to get you as far as you want to go.”
Harry’s hopes for this year are to champion Run for Rangers and its cause for the often forgotten, but true heroes, hidden warriors and protectors of our wildlife.
“Our fundraising target for 2024 is R2 million. Whether you sign up and challenge yourself physically and mentally; or choose to contribute directly to the welfare and safety of our rangers on the front lines by donating or just spread the word about this event and what it stands for, it all goes a long way to a better future for our rangers and our wilds.”
Details: Follow @runforrangers and @harry_bailey04 on IG or visit www.runforrangers.net
