Having set himself the mission of completing Ironman races across the globe, chief officer Calvin Zeelie will race in his fifth on April 19, but this time, he’s also giving back — dedicating it to Summerhill House, a non-profit that provides holistic care and opportunities for vulnerable, orphaned and abandoned children in South Africa.
Summerhill House events fundraising coordinator Nicole Kitchen met Zeelie in 2024 when they began working on board together, which was also when he entered his first Ironman. The former chief stew transitioned ashore and returned to South Africa, joining Summerhill House; she hopes to bring international awareness to the organization. When she came across Ironman4Kidz, she knew Zeelie would be the perfect person to approach.
“When I asked him, there wasn’t even a moment of hesitation,” she says. “True to his nature, he didn’t just want to raise the usual few thousand rand most people aim for — instead, he set an ambitious goal of 100,000 South African Rand, driven by his passion and determination to make a real impact.”
Summerhill House runs both a children’s home and an outreach program. In the village, children grow up in family-style homes with a dedicated housemother caring for six children as her own, and community programs support families and uplift the wider area.
The money raised through Zeelie’s fundraiser will go toward their education fund, which ensures children in their care can access the schooling, therapy and opportunities they need to thrive. For Ziyanda, a four-year-old who is non-verbal, experiences seizures and has been diagnosed with autism, this means specialized education and therapy to help her communicate and develop social skills. For Mlu, it means having his school fees covered so he can keep exceling academically and exploring his passion in music, sound and video creation.
Growing up in Port Elizabeth, Zeelie watched the Ironman race every year since he was 13, dreaming of one day competing. After completing his OOW, he felt a strong sense of accomplishment but knew he needed something new with purpose to focus on.
“So one day when I came across a Facebook post advertising the 2024 race, I decided it was time to take action and enter,” he says. “Completing that first race alongside my brother was a turning point; the Ironman bug had officially bitten. Since then, I’ve committed not only to racing in the South African Ironman but have set myself the challenge of competing in as many races worldwide as possible.”
With rotation on a 65-meter motor yacht, he’s able to dedicate himself to training when he’s off, often getting in three sessions a day. While on board, he sticks to a disciplined routine, using the gym and setting up a stationary bike in the tender bay for long rides whenever possible; and while ashore, he fits in his running and seeks out pools to continue his swim training while in Europe.
“It feels almost like a calling, as I have recently felt a deep need to do something more purposeful and give back to the community,” he says. “Having grown up in South Africa and witnessed the struggles so many children face, dedicating this race to Summerhill House was the perfect way to combine my passion for fitness with my desire to inspire change and bring hope.”
To contribute to the fundraiser, visit: hero.ironman4thekidz.co.za/heroes/calvin-zeelie