TOYS R US & NICKELODEON AFRICA NAME 2019 TOY SPRINT WINNER
2020-03-11 12:36:26
It’s been an exciting few months as kids across South Africa raced against the clock to claim up to R15 000 in amazing toys and gadgets within 60 seconds. But there could only be one winner! And it was nine-year-old, Riley Oliver from Rooderpoort, Gauteng who out-did his competitors during Nickelodeon’s Toy Sprint with Toys R Us to claim the ultimate prize.
The race, now in its forth year, promised to be the most exciting contest yet and certainly didn’t disappoint. Out of 19 500 hopefuls who entered online at
www.nickelodeonafrica.com, Riley Oliver was one of the lucky ‘Spirit Rangers’ to have been selected. Along with Kirsten Abrahams, Nhlanhla Poone and Mahlatse Mongalo, Riley took to Midrand’s Mall of Africa in June to secure as many toys as he could.
“This year’s Nickelodeon’s Toy Sprint with Toys R Us exceeded our expectations from the very start. The time and dedication these kids put into preparing themselves for the race was extraordinary, and the personalities we were met with made each occasion that much more memorable,” said Catherine Jacoby - Head of Marketing Toys R Us & Babies R Us South Africa.
While Riley managed to get just about everything he and his baby brother wanted, he missed out on his quest for a Nerf Gun. Fortunately, he’ll be given a second chance when he competes in the ultimate Global Sprint in Singapore. This time, he’ll need to quickly make his way through a 2 500 square metre store in the hopes of grabbing goodies to the value of $5 000.
Included in the all-expenses-paid trip are return flights to Singapore for Riley and three of his friends and/or family members, a five-night hotel stay and spending money. What’s more, this will be Riley’s first-ever trip on an aeroplane.
Tasania Parsadh, Channel Director for Nickelodeon on behalf of ViacomCBS Networks Africa (VCN Africa) said, “I remember as a child, hoping to be selected for a contest of this nature and what a wonderful thing it is that we’ve now been able to award these children with such an exciting experience. Riley is a spirited young boy and a deserving winner. We know this will be a truly memorable experience for him, and what an added thrill it will be flying for the first time!”
As Riley prepares for his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Nickelodeon and Toys R Us are no doubt preparing themselves for next year’s events whereby other young hopefuls will stand a chance to bag themselves toys, gadgets, games and a lifetime of memories.
Congrats Riley! :)
From
Roodepoort Northsider:
Let’s help 10-year-old reach his dreams by voting
Mom Tanya is urging the public to visit the Get Riley to Singapore page on Facebook and Instagram for more information on voting.
Riley Oliver turns 10 years old this month, and is urging the members of the community to help him get a gift he will never forget.
Riley, who took part in the Toys ‘R’ Us 60 seconds toy sprint in June, is asking people to vote for him so that he can win a trip to Singapore.
The superstar is now one of the 12 finalists from different provinces.
“As a finalist, I need people to vote for me so I can win an all expenses paid trip to Singapore. If I am chosen, I will participate in a 5-minute toy sprint in one of the biggest toy stores in the world,” said Riley.
Tanya, the mother of this superstar, said she has reached out to everyone for them to help with the voting.
“For this campaign, I am approaching everyone – to the point that people think I am crazy. Whenever I see someone with 5 000 followers on social media, I ‘inbox’ them and ask them to assist us. We are also having flyers printed and handed out,” said Tanya.
She went on to explain that voting only starts on Monday, 12 August, but she is making sure that she leaves no stone unturned.
“At this stage, we do not know the nitty gritties, but we are pushing so that people know about the voting process. We are working on reaching everyone,” explained Tanya.
Skyler Oliver, on the mini car his brother chose for him. Photo: Tshegofatso Seleke.
She added that the initial sprint was held at the Mall of Africa.
“During the sprint, the participants went into the Mall of Africa store where they had to fill their trolleys with toys to the value of R15 000. Riley managed to get R14 600 worth of goods and was very chuffed, because he got everything he wanted, and I could not afford to buy it for him,” said Tanya.
When asked how they found out about the Toy Sprint, she said she had wanted to take part in this kind of competition since she was a child. “We saw an advert on television and Riley wanted me to enter for him. At that point I did not want to, but I then came across it on Facebook and entered him. I did not expect much, because there are thousands of people that enter, so when he got in, he was really ecstatic,” added Tanya.
Riley concluded by saying that he enjoyed every single moment of the toy sprint and is very grateful to have been given the opportunity.
“The whole experience was fun. At first I thought I would not get everything I wanted, but in the end I was able to get everything. Some of the things I had always prayed for, which I got during the sprint, are the hoverboard, the Playstation, and headphones, and I also got a mini car for my baby brother. Another thing is that I made new friends,” he said.
Riley Oliver on his Zingo. Photo: Tshegofatso Seleke.
Tanya is urging the public to visit the ‘Get Riley to Singapore’ page on Facebook and Instagram for more information on voting and said that voters stand a chance of winning a replica trolley containing everything that Riley chooses.
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