Women take on African rally

TWO local ladies took on this year’s Put Foot Rally, to raise funds to buy school shoes for disadvantaged children in Africa.

The Put Foot Rally is an 18 day rally over 8000kms through five African countries with the involvement of 65 crews from across South Africa.

Penelope Kirkland and Monica McLoughlin, making up the crew called “Wrong Direction,” was the only crew from Durban this year.

The objective of the rally is to raise funds for the Put Foot Foundation, and each team had a minimum amount of funds to be raised in order to take part in the rally.

Funds raised go to the Put Foot Foundation who put that money to good use by purchasing school shoes for disadvantaged children through Africa.

On 15 June the women headed off, along with other vehicles through Africa, where they visited children at various schools, sizing their feet and handing over a brand new pair of school shoes to each child, along with a day of entertainment, bringing smiles to little faces, happiness to little hearts, and shoes to fit little feet.

Monica is the digital content editor for MRP Sport, and has a heart for adventure, likes to run and enjoys taking part in outdoor adventures such as the Otter Trail.

“I decided that 2015 would be the year of doing, being and loving life. Travel is in my heart and the Put Foot Rally was my way to start on the travel path,” she said.

Penelope, a radio personality on MRP Radio, qualified school teacher and owner of a dance company, said she has a passion for life, people, adventure and travel.

“With a God given love for Africa and a deep desire for change, the Put Foot Rally was a meaningful outlet of all that which is dear to my heart – a challenge, an adventure and an opportunity to leave a footprint!” she said.

She said their expedition was incredibly blessed, as their Land Rover broke down on the way to the start line in Cape Town, but they received help from a stranger.

“A man, Ray Jenkins, whom we had never met, offered us his personal Landcruiser, which had only done 11 000km, to take through Africa. How does one try and explain this kind of generosity? Once we had successfully completed the rally we went to Pietermaritzburg to meet him. We sat with Ray over coffee and shared stories of our epic journey through Africa!” she said.

Penelope said the expedition will go down as one of the best things she’s ever done.

“This was an unforgettable and epic African experience, shared with approximately 200 like-minded people from across the country and abroad. We traversed from the West to the East coast of Africa, through Namibia, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique in a convoy of about 60 vehicles. Such a profound experience. I truly value the people I met and the treasures we saw. Africa – what a privilege to call you home!” she said.