A DAILY Echo-backed project to build sports facilities in a black African township has been given an unexpected boost - by the South African Rugby Union and national team.

Joel Stranski - who scored the winning penalty in the nail-biting 1995 Rugby World Cup Final (South Africa 15, New Zealand 12 after extra time) - and his team-mates have thrown their weight behind the Hope Now Score 2000 project.

The Southampton charity hopes to raise £60,000 by the end of the year towards a £250,000 project providing playing fields, and state-of-the-art sports facilities at the Langa High School in Cape Town.

Hope Now president Vic Jackopson told the Daily Echo this week: "Joel and his team-mates have endorsed the project and Joel has personally offered to make a promotional video for us and attend as many fundraising events in South Africa as his diary permits.

"The SA Rugby Association has also said it will dedicate the school's new facilities as one of its rugby centres of excellence.

"This means it will put into the project the resources needed to provide an ongoing training programme, making the project indigenous and self-supporting."

Since the Daily Echo launched the appeal three months ago, Hope Now's offices in Shirley have received telephone calls from schools, community groups, churches, businesses and individuals, all wanting a fundraising ideas pack.

Many churches and schools are already setting up inter-church and inter-school sports events for the autumn term, and will be donating the proceeds. Vic said: "We've had a very good response so far to our appeal in terms of promises of help, and have also received a donation from a school and some churches of around £1,000.

"The autumn is going to be the key time when people get back off holiday and the schools return.

"We really need to see hundreds of fundraising events taking place across Hampshire if we are to provide young South Africans with a sporting chance."

This month Vic and his team are sending appeal letters to companies in the county, and at the age of 60, he is preparing to undertake a massive fundraising project all on his own.

This week the veteran evangelism and aid worker was in Wales, walking up Snowdon in training for a sponsored walk from York to London.

Vic said: "I'm starting off on November 20, and will walk down to London, finishing at the South African embassy on December 22.

"I will stop off on the way at 28 points, and at each one of them, will speak to gatherings of Christians and show a multi-media presentation of the project.

"Each morning I will also be speaking at school assemblies and at lunch time no doubt, I'll pop into local pups and have a quick whip-round after my lunch."

At lunchtime on December 22, Vic will also address the annual carol service for city financiers where he will make a financial appeal.

Barney Gollings, the project's fundraising co-ordinator, is currently in South Africa talking with locals about project plans.

A full report of his visit and an update on the project will appear in Focus on Faith next month.

For details of how you can help Hope Now raise £60,000, call 023 8078 0720.

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