North Durban runners honour cancer super heroes
Spearheaded by Durban North resident Denise Towell, the group of about 20 residents, from the Covid Runners group, raised more than R15 000 for Rainbows and Smiles.
THROUGH the month of September, a group of local runners raised funds for non-profit organisation Rainbows and Smiles while also turning the spotlight on childhood cancer.
Spearheaded by Durban North resident Denise Towell, the group of about 20 residents, from the Covid Runners group, raised more than R15 000 for the organisation by running through the streets of north Durban in superhero outfits.
According to Towell, Rainbows and Smiles provides emotional, social and financial support to children diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening illness, as well as families and caregivers.
Towell, a volunteer for the organisation, said she was buoyed by the reaction of the north Durban community who showed their support in the group’s endeavours.
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“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Rainbows and Smiles supporters and volunteers honoured childhood cancer survivors by running every day for 30 days. I ran 10km for the entire month of September and each day we ran we had the names of these incredible superhero children who are fighting cancer written down on our hands and arms. I was so pleased with our running group and how they opened their hearts to support this initiative,” Towell said.
“One of the other members of our group, Stephen de Sousa, ran as Superman and our outfits really caught the eye of people who spotted us in the neighbourhood. They would often ask why we were dressed up and we would tell them all about Rainbows and Smiles. I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this amazing cause and to all those around the country who contributed,” she said.
Somerset Park resident Dave Anstey said he loved being part of the fundraising journey.
“I didn’t run everyday but I did join the group where I could. The children we ran for were our inspiration and we had them in our minds when we were completing the kilometres. I feel Rainbows and Smiles does incredible work and we hope others will also support them as they help kids with cancer,” he said.
For more information on Rainbows and Smiles, visit them on their facebook page, or www.rainbowsandsmiles.org.za.
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