Gail takes the plunge for CHOC

GAIL Diedericks will be ticking one more thing off her bucket list this Saturday, when she jumps out of a plane at Durban Skydive Centre in Camperdown, in the quest to raise funds for CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa).

Gail, will be representing the CHOC Cows when she takes on this adventure this weekend, and has been involved in many other fundraising initiatives for this enthusiastic group of people.

“My friend’s daughter died of bone marrow cancer in 2014 and she roped me into doing the CHOC Sani Pass hike where we took flowers up to lay for her daughter.”

“After this, my daughter Megan heard about The Cows and said she wanted to join the group. She swam the Midmar Mile for them in 2015 and I decided to get on board and help out at events,” she said.

Gail said she had a serious midlife crisis last December and decided to do the Midmar Mile this year, but because she had an operation recently, she did not have time to train.

“The skydiving adventure has been on my bucket list for many years and as I’m turning 44 this year, I felt like doing something different for The Cows.”

“I spoke to the KZN Committee of the Cows about doing the jump in a Cow suit, so it’s all going ahead this weekend. I pity the guy who is going to be jumping out a plane strapped to a cow!” she said.

Gail said she was very nervous and that she was probably going to scream the whole way down, but she’s excited about doing this jump.

“I’m probably going to take a whole bottle of Rescue beforehand, but I am excited to be doing this, as well as to be raising funds and awareness.”

“My dad died in 2010 and since then I’ve had a new outlook on life, that I will have no regrets, and if there’s something I want to do, I’m going to do it. Megan has been a great support, but she’s not keen to do the jump too!” she said.

Gail has taken on a few events for The Cows such as the 100 Miles of Nowhere in 2016 and the Amashova Hillcrest to Durban race, as well as other sporting events, where she is well-known in her Cow suit.

“Megan and I want to do the 2017 100 Miles of Nowhere Cadence event and I might do the Tour Durban, which is something else I want to cross off my bucket list. It’s about making memories, having fun and enjoying life. If you don’t succeed, at least you have tried,” she said.

About The Cows

The Cows were started in 2008 by a group of eight enthusiastic cyclists keen to make a difference and raise funds for CHOC.

Cordi van Niekerk was one of the founder members and joined Kerrin and Grant Bain in cycling the 94.7 Cycle Challenge in memory of their little daughter, Jessica, who had recently died from cancer at just 20 months old.

Since CHOC played a significant role in the Bain family’s life in the last few weeks of Jessica’s life, specifically with palliative care and emotional support, the decision was to make CHOC the beneficiary of their quest. They decided to don cow suits and succeeded in raising R230 000.

In 2009, the herd gained momentum and grew to an incredible 140 energetic cows. Nine years later, hundreds of people have participated in events wearing cow suits.

The Cows have just broken through the R27 million mark, of funds raised for specific projects implemented by CHOC and The Cows brand is prominent in many sporting events in South Africa. With these funds, CHOC is able to make a difference to the children being treated for cancer throughout South Africa.

The Cow committee headed up by Cordi and Kerrin, created the motto ‘Love Living Life’ and they challenge people to live in the present and to have a new appreciation for all they have, today. Most of all, The Cows get people to live with passion as they work toward their ultimate goal: to make a difference to children living with cancer.

The Cows, 1st of our #top10 causes of the week! https://t.co/kitn1mL6e6@ TheCHOCCows #onlinefundraising #LoveLivingLife #herd #CHOC #cancer pic.twitter.com/B0nggyKzH3

— GivenGain Foundation (@GivenGain) January 30, 2017