Cycle ‘cows’ fight for cancer
JOBURG - The Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (Choc) was established in 1979, but their relationship with cows only started in 2004.
The symbolic cow that represents Choc started when a herd of beautifully-crafted fiberglass cows came to South Africa from the US and were paraded through the streets of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
“The sight of these magnificent, life-size creatures captured (our) imagination and from then on (cows were) associated with Choc,” said Celeste Hewett, who handles the organisation’s public relations.
“Perhaps the link is tenuous but when a group of humans decided to take part in the 94.7 Cycle Challenge in 2008 to raise funds for Choc, they chose to dress in gear made to look like splotchy cow hides. Since then they have become a widely-recognised fund-raising force, officially registered as The Cows™,” she explained.
“Over the years ‘the herd’ has expanded, becoming increasingly successful,” added Hewett.
On November 17 this year, The Cows will again be donning their distinctive gear to take on the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge – hopefully with a herd of 400.
Funds collected in 2013 will be used to support some of Choc’s ongoing costs, including the provision of psycho-social support to children through a team of dedicated, professional and auxiliary social workers in the Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng; running costs for the Bergvliet House in Cape Town; running costs for the Choc houses in East London, as well as childhood cancer research in conjunction with The Zach Foundation.
Details: www.thecows.co.za or www.choc.org.za
