COMRADES MARATHON – Toyota Win-a-Car Handover to Winner, Sheila Sawers

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) announced the winner of the 2013 Toyota-Amabeadibeadi Win-a-Car competition at CMH-Toyota in Umhlanga Ridge, Durban on Thursday, 4 July 2013.

The delighted winner, Sheila Sawers of Durban North got to drive off in her brand new Toyota Etios, saying she was over the moon upon finding out that she was the winner of the awesome prize.
 
Sheila says, ‘Thank you to Toyota and the CMA – I am elated, elated, elated! It was a wonderful moment that has just continued on and on as the congratulations and reality slowly set in.’
 
Sheila had entered the Toyota lucky draw on Comrades Race Day more than 110 times. She has never run the Comrades Marathon but says she is very proud of our country for hosting such an incredible event. On taking up the world’s greatest road-running challenge, Sheila says she has no plans of competing but will always watch with joy and support our own wonderful runners.
 
Sheila says, ‘The Comrades Marathon is a unique race which is a hugely recognized world-wide event. We should all remember the ethos of the race that is to "celebrate mankind's spirit over adversity". 
 
On the six official Comrades-Amabeadibeadi charities, Sheila says, ‘I admire and respect everybody who take the time and make the effort to be so involved. They really make a difference, and it pleases me to see our younger generation also getting really hands on with charitable work.’  

She adds, ‘All the Comrades charities support great causes but if I had to choose one specific charity, it would have to be the Wildlands Conservation Trust. It is so vital that we treasure our wildlife and leave a legacy of our incredible country for future generations.’
 
On winning the incredible Toyota Etios Sheila says, ‘I have won small competitions before but to drive off in this car makes me feel fabulous, lucky, blessed and very grateful. My biggest thanks go to Toyota for making such an awesome prize available. Thank you Toyota for your commitment to our future runners and the charitable work of Comrades!’
 
Toyota SA’s Senior Manager: Sponsorships, Mary Willemse says, ‘It is important to Toyota to be part of the Amabeadibeadi group of charities associated with the Comrades Marathon. We would like to thank all 333861 entrants that contributed to Amabeadibeadi. We would like to congratulate Sheila on winning the Toyota Win-a-Car competition. We trust her new Toyota Etios will create smiles for her and her family.’

CMA Chairman, Dave Dixon says, ‘Toyota’s generosity and goodwill has ensured that the profile of the Comrades-Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive has been elevated in a huge way. We are grateful to Toyota for their unwavering support. Our gratitude also goes out to every person who entered the Amabeadibeadi lucky draw and contributed to the fundraising for our charities via this awesome initiative.’

 
Statement issued by the CMA’s Media Officer, Delaine Cools on Thursday, 4 July 2013

Source: Comrades Marathon