Local Cows ‘fun’draise ‘moo’la despite lockdown

WHILE the country comes to terms with the impact of the national lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak, the sudden end of organised sporting events has forced the charity sporting body The Cows to think outside of the box to continue their fundraising for the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa.

Recently the ‘Fun’draising arm of the foundation set out a national challenge called the 12 Hours Lockdown Challenge. The challenge asked supporters to complete 30 minutes of sporting activity in their own homes as part of a co-ordinated national event.

Incredibly more than R175 000 was raised by several athletes and residents around the country.

One of the organisers of the KZN Cow herd, Iris Varty, said participants made donations through a special GivenGain account.

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Northglen News spoke to a few north Durban residents who all played their part in raising some much needed ‘moo’la for the foundation.

The McLennan family, Sarah, Cameron, Connor and Richard decided to participate in the lockdown challenge as a family.

Using their own yard, Sarah completed a 21km marathon while her husband and sons ran a seven kilometre loop around their yard to raise funds.

“This was my first ever 21 kilometre (half marathon) and although it was hard work I knew it was for a good cause. My husband, Richard and my sons also took part in the challenge and they actually did the few laps of my half marathon with me which was quite special. I’ve been overawed by how everyone has come out to support the Cows and to raise more than R176 000 is just incredible. Even my brother in the UK participated with his family and it just goes to show what we can achieve even with a lockdown in place,” she said.

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Danville Avenue resident, Gords Reid, a longstanding member of the herd and an ever-present supporter of charitable causes cycled 10km (using a handcycle) in his backyard.

“There was no ways I wasn’t going to get involved when Iris (Varty) put out the challenge. For me the factor that kept me going on the day was thinking of those children whose immune systems are extremely vulnerable. Both my daughters, Amy and Erin, also took part with me so it was a great way to get the family involved in such a worthy cause,” he said.

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