Charity | Posted on October 3rd, 2025 | return to news

Dorset boy brings 50 trainers to help children in South Africa

Charlie Forbes from Holt set up his charity, Run2Renew, to help give sports equipment to young runners in Africa.

Thanks to the kind donations of the people of Dorset, an 11-year-old boy from Holt has managed to donate sports supplies including 50 pairs of trainers to children in South Africa.

In 2024, Charlie Forbes visited a small village near the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa. A keen runner, Charlie took part in a 5km ParkRun with the local community but was shocked to see that the children had to race in bare feet on tarmac roads.

After coming home, he decided to set up his own charity to help these young athletes by collecting and redistributing used trainers and sports kits. He launched the charity, called Run2Renews, and over the past year he has collected over 100 pairs of trainers and lots of kit.

Charlie and his father returned to South Africa at the end of August, bringing 50 pairs of trainers to children in a small village called Bergville.

The Forbes organised the donation with a contact in the region called Lizzie, who operates the Cannibals ParkRun event in the area. She explained Charlie’s charity to the locals and told the children that after the day’s run, everyone would get some shoes and running kit.

Charlie’s father, Scott Forbes, said: “Charlie loved running with the other children despite the high altitude, and after he helped give out all the donated items.

“We really wanted to do something for the local community to promote health and wellbeing and allow every child that wants to run that opportunity. It was an unfamiliar and overwhelming experience for Charlie, but he coped admirably and loved chatting and running with the children. He learnt such a lot from the experience that he has brought back to his school.”

Run2Renew is continuing to collect trainers and equipment, and plans to return to South Africa next year to donate even more sports gear.

To find out more about the charity or to make a donation, visit the website or send an email to jsforbes@mac.com.