1 min. with a Superhero: Gerhard Pieterse of Autism Western Cape (on his way to Kilimanjaro!)
by Fred on 20/11/09 at 2:45 pm
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This afternoon we’re chatting with Gerhard Pieterse, who is climbing Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for autism. Gerhard is the Chairman of Autism Western Cape* and stands at around 7ft tall in his socks. He’s aiming even higher today, leaving for Kilimanjaro on a new adventure in the cause of his beloved AWC.
Gerhard, first you get locked up in jail for Autism for 74 days, now you’re trudging your 7ft frame up the highest freestanding mountain in the wwworld and the highest point in Africa. What. Is. Wrong. With. You?
Wrong how? I am just the guy next door wanting to make a small difference.
Alrighty then. What are you aiming to achieve with this journey?
Autism is more prevalent than childhood cancer, Diabetes & HIV/Aids combined globally (World Autism Day – 2 April 2009) and yet most people I know don’t know what is Autism. My aim is to put Autism on TOP of the people’s agenda’s, physically doing everything in my power to achieve this.
You’ve told us before on Ideate that the Jail4Bail initiative was quite a harrowing, emotional time for you. Give us 5 words that best describe the experience…
Jail4Bail was a humbling, exhausting, lonely in a crowd, scary and appreciating life journey.
Who’s coming with you on the Kili trip? Why are they doing this…?
The group consists of 8 proudly Cape Town non experienced trekkers of which 2 parents and a grandad (59 years old) who are directly affected by Autism, who will be lead up the mountain by Sean Wisedale (www.seanwisedale.com). We want to create more awareness and raise funds for Autism Western Cape (www.autismwesterncape.org.za)
How can we help?
Show some love by blogging, Tweeting,(@jail4bail & #awckili) following (wwww.zoopy.com/awckilimanjaro & FaceBook Autism Western Cape) donating online on www.autismwesterncape.org.za.
Gerhard, thanks for coming on Ideate again. You’re a crazy mofo, but we love watching you do all this crazy stuff. Ideate readers, go to the Autism Western Cape website and get in the mix!
* Disclaimer: I am a Non-executive Director at Autism Western Cape.
Fred Roed is the marketing guy in the Ideate crew. He runs a web marketing company called World Wide Creative and loves writing about people out there doing marketing right. View more articles by Fred.
