By Chelsea Pieterse

Thousands of people filled the Chatsworth Stadium throughout Saturday to participate in the annual Chatsworth Charity Relay for youth empowerment.

The event, hosted by The Chatsworth Charity Relay Association (CCRA), was enjoyed by all participating in the fun run and relay race.

The day started off with relay races for at least two hundred disabled participants, followed by business partner races, ending with a fun run for families and schools in and around the Chatsworth area.

Professor Cyril Naidoo, a founder of the CCRA, was enthusiastic with the days events and the overall turnout for the annual relay and fun run.

The CCRA was formed in early 2000, just two weeks after the Throb Night Club incident where 13 children were killed in a stampede after a teargas canister was thrown onto the dance floor.

Runners and walkers exit the Chatsworth Stadium to begin their 4km fun run/walk this past Saturday

“We formed the organisation to provide a space for the gap and we act as a filler,” said Professor Naidoo.

Naidoo said that the organisation raises funds and generates an income of about R100 000 annually, 75% of which goes to the community and building lifestyle centres for schools whilst the other 35% is saved for potential disasters such as the Throb tragedy.

“We get at least 3000 participants a year but we started with 1000,” said Naidoo, reminiscing over the first relay event 13 years ago. This is a small community effort doing it for the community,” said Naidoo.

The day began with a relay race for the disabled who were treated with breakfast, prizes, entertainment and lunch. Next business partners participate in the relay starting at midday with schools and families participating in a relay and fun run.

The day was a huge success with prizes and food given throughout the day, music played and a lovely performance by the Kamalinee Primary School Cheerleaders as well as dances performed by the grade one and two pupils dressed to the nines in ball gowns and suits.

The Chatsworth Charity Relay Organisation, sponsored by The Rising Sun, The Rotary Club of High Noon and LookLocal, has made their annual fun run an event that is all inclusive and is fun for all partaking in the run and relay.