THIS WILL BE  THE 29th ANNUAL BLUE CROSS FUNDRAISER

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The sponsorship that YOU, the participants, raise helps the SPCAs of Zimbabwe survive. 

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We are SO grateful,  BUT we also know you are going to love this event. See you this year at sunset in the Save riverbed! 

GO FOR GOLD!

Raise $600:Earn your Gold Medal. 

$400, and take the Silver.

$200 to get a Bronze. 

PLEASE NOTE: All funds raised doing this event must go to the Blue Cross, and participants may not, under any circumstances, divert funds to other charities. 

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THE CHALLENGE

To take part in an AMAZING 500km remote endurance event like no other,  for a cause like no other, in order to raise money for the continued survival of all the branches of the SPCA throughout Zimbabwe. (The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).  The original Blue Cross was a solo event, but it has evolved into a multi-disciplined event, that will appeal to everyone who loves animals, a physical challenge and off road adventure.

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"Qui Curat Vincit"   Who CARES wins.

                   SPONSORSHIP DEPOSITS MAY BE MADE AS FOLLOWS:

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FOR EASY OUTSIDE COUNTRY PAYMENTS

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/spca-blue-cross-2023

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PAYMENTS TO CABS NOSTRO ACCOUNT : CABS Gold Class,  Account Name : Blue Cross,  Account Number : 1128265591

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We also accept WORLD REMIT  transfers. Please specify CASH PICK UP. The donor will need your full name and ID number. There is a time limit for collection, after which the funds are returned to the source. If you would prefer not to collect, contact the email below, and Mutare SPCA will collect, and allocate to you.

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Participants raise sponsorship to cycle, walk, relay, run solo, combo discipline (hybrid) and cross country motorcycle (Enduro) from the lowest point in Zimbabwe, The Save–Runde Confluence (162m Above Sea Level) to the highest point,  Mt Nyangani (2,593m ASL.) 

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The Blue Cross is not a race, but rather an endurance challenge through some of the remotest parts of Zimbabwe. Orienteering by GPS, sleeping under the stars on some nights, meeting the rural people en route, and taking part in a cracking 500km safari of your own, for a great cause. On completion, awards of Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals are given, not based on event placing, but on the amount of money raised for this deserving and beleaguered countrywide charity.

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REGISTRATION:

All participants must pay Registration fees of USD 50.00.  This will cover registration and the camping fees for the official campsites used along the route. 

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Seconders:  Seconders are not required to pay Registration fees. Please book for Fiddlers-on-the-Green in Chipinge, Chimanimani, Mutare and Nyanga yourself.

PARTICIPATING SECONDERS will be required to register and raise sponsorship.

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As the event offers various  disciplines, the START DATES VARY.  The key dates are in the calendars on the Home Page and FAQs (General). This website contains answers to many FAQs but feel free to contact us for guidance from our experienced participants.  YOU may start whenever it suits you, but  ALL participants must reach the Nyangani Car Park by 1500 hours on the Sunday prior to Summit Day.  

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The Blue Cross is more about what YOU make of it.  Either way, it is an outstanding experience that requires grit and teamwork, determination and a positive spirit. For many people thinking about doing it for the first time, the self-supporting aspect may be a worry, but the Blue Cross team can also offer guidance.

 

The rest is simple.

Just say it: I AM DOING THE BLUE CROSS THIS YEAR!  It's the hardest step you will take. 

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WE want YOUR country's FLAG TO FLY FOR YOU at the beginning and the end of the whole event. 

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The Reason

It is no secret that all the SPCA's in Zimbabwe have been battling the odds to survive.  What is sure is that  life in a country without an SPCA  animal rescue centre is unthinkable. The Mutare SPCA has taken over the driving of the Blue Cross since 2015, and each year it gets a little more challenging for us, and thankfully, a little more lucrative for all the SPCA's of Zimbabwe.   It is critical that each centre gets its community motivated, and committed to the Blue Cross FOR THEM.  

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If you are from Bulawayo, Kadoma, Marondera, Zvishavane, Kwekwe/Redcliffe, Masvingo or Harare, please consider doing this amazing event. It will take you to parts of the country you would never normally go to, places of great beauty and remoteness, and you will have done one of the finest things ever, for one of the finest causes ever. Of course, wherever you are in the world, we'd love you to come and do the Blue Cross for Zimbabwe SPCA's.

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In its first manifestation, The Blue Cross was a super tough, rugged event for only fools and heroes, but it has had to morph to stay alive. So if you workout and run daily, or walk regularly and are of positive and adventurous spirit, we have a niche for you. The most difficult part of the event is when you have read this... and you contact us to say you would like to do it. We are there for you. We will help you experience something everyone who lives in this country, or ONCE lived in this country, or loves this country, should do.

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For the animals of Zimbabwe to have a safe and kind and honourable option in their lives --- Do it for them.

"WHO CARES WINS"

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Sponsorship Levels and Registration Fee

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PLEASE USE THIS WEBSITE TO ACCESS THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE DAY:  www.marketwatch.co.zw

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Participants pay registration and sponsorship in US DOLLARS. 

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SPONSORSHIP:

MINUMUM  USD 200.00 for a Bronze Medal; USD400 for a Silver Medal and USD 600 for a Gold Medal.

 Funds must be handed in before the cut off date.  We (all the SPCAs of Zimbabwe) are so grateful to participants for asking family, friends and corporates for sponsorship.  An interactive spreadsheet that is used for detailing the  funds raised by each participant can be found on the Sponsorship and Pledges page on this web site.  

ALL FUNDS RAISED MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH A PRINT OUT OF THIS SPREADSHEET OR A FILLED IN FORM WHICH CAN BE DOWNLOADED IN PDF OR EXCEL FORMAT FROM THE SPONSORSHIP & PLEDGES  PAGE.

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In addition to the Medals other awards are:

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• The Spirit of the Blue Cross Award for the participant exhibiting the greatest commitment to the ideals of the event.

• The Datvest Floating Trophy for the most sponsorship raised.

• The Cecil the Lion Floating Trophy for the most sponsorship raised by a relay team member.

• The Blue Cross Trophy for the Fastest Aggregate Time in the competitive Men's MTB discipline.

• The RM Insurance Trophy for the Fastest Aggregate Time in the competitive Women's MTB discipline.

• The Maguires Trophy for the Fastest Aggregate Time in the competitive Heavy Infantry discipline.

• The Manyatella Trophy for the Fastest Aggregate Time in the competitive Light Infantry discipline.

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The Route of the Blue Cross has to be reinvented annually, to keep it challenging and fresh (and ultimately do-able) for repeat Blue Crossers, but also to steer clear of increased traffic. No coke and buns event for us!  Read all about it on our Blog on this website.

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