A 44-year-old mother of three and avid runner, Charmain Shandu, recently handed over whopping R20 000 funds to The Association for the Aged (Tafta).
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The Musgrave resident raised the money by taking part in the organisation’s annual fun run, a 31km race which took place on the last day of 2020.
“I tell people about Tafta, the work that they do and the challenges that they face and invite them to support through donations of non-perishable foodstuffs and toiletries. Last year however to minimise contact and the spread of Covid-19, I asked the supporters of the event to contribute through paying entry fee to the event and through sale of race t-shirts,” said Shandu.
She had initially set a target of R10 000 but with the help of her family and friends was able to double that amount. She said her biggest supporters were her friends who matched her goal.
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“We celebrated five years of the event in December 2020. My dream is to continue with this event for many years to come until it becomes part of Durban’s best festive season activities bringing locals and tourists together to celebrate the fitness and healthy lifestyle and doing good for the senior citizens,” said Shandu.
She will be doing a mini handover to Tafta soon, but the funds have already been transferred into their account.
“While dealing with the pandemic, we can’t have a big handover event to minimize bringing people to Tafta to protect the staff and residents from possible Covid-19 infections as they have very strict protocols to prevent movements into their properties as they look after the most vulnerable,” she said.
Shandu said: “I use the skills I’ve acquired in my job as a marketing manager to organise events like this run and I also use my ability to influence people for advocacy and uniting to do great things and of course asking for money in the form of donations. The run started with under 20 friends in 2015. In 2019 before Covid-19, I had over 800 friends participating. In future events I am certain that that circle will continue to grow even bigger,” she said.
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She said she was humbled by the response and respect of the runners and their families who go out and support the event and donate towards it.
“I’m grateful to everyone who participated and contributed to the event and I invite friends to participate every year which is what has made this event grow from strength to strength,” said Shandu.
In conclusion she said: “I am looking forward to December 2021 already. I have started planning and looking at ways to accommodate the new normal that the pandemic has brought to our lives, how the event can be more inclusive and how to increase participation.”
Follow her on Facebook: Tholakele Charmain Shandu and Instagram: @Charmain_shandu.
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