Dashing success for CANSA fundraiser

DURBAN North resident, Claire de Sylva, exceeded expectations in her recent fundraising effort for CANSA, running 29km on her 29th birthday.

De Sylva, who is training for the Comrades Marathon later this year, decided to run from the CANSA’s Durban office at 619 Umbilo Road and then along the M19, finishing at her father’s offices in Westmead, to raise funds and awareness.

According to the altruistic resident, the original goal was to raise R5 000 by selling cupcakes as well as CANSA head wraps and ribbons. However, in the end the resident managed to collect R7 700 on behalf of the non-profit organisation.

“We were also contacted by two companies offering support for children whose families are unable to afford treatment, which is exactly the kind of exposure and support we were hoping for,” said De Sylva.

On the day De Sylva and her support team, which included her dad, Denis, and 80-year-old grandmother, Olga, ‘cheekily’ popped into businesses along the route and asked them to support the cause.

A minute-by-minute update was sent to WhatsApp and Facebook groups to facilitate the awareness-raising aspect of the drive.

The success of the fundraising effort has inspired De Sylva to plan something ‘bigger and better’ for her 30th birthday. “I would love to climb something, maybe Mount Kilimanjaro, for another CANSA drive,” she said.

Overall the young mother and local beautician was trilled by outcome. “The day was absolutely incredible. I feel so blessed and humbled by the response we had.

The day proved that a little can go a long way. I encourage anyone that feels they have a silly idea stirring in their heart to follow it,” she said.