‘Udder’ly committed to cancer ‘moo’vement
Northglen News catches up with two locals who are part of the CHOC cow herd.
IN their Friesian bovine patterned suits, the CHOC Cows who are the FUNdraising arm for CHOC (The Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa) always standout from the crowd, whatever event they happen to be attending.
Each year the herd of splotchy cows cycle in various races like the Tsogo Sun Amashova Cycle Race and the 94.7 Cycle Challenge to raise funds for the organisation. Northglen News recently caught up with two members of the enthusiastic herd, Durban North residents, Gordon Reid and Aroon Patel, to find out more about the ‘moo’vement.
What’s more, Reid recently completed the grueling cycle through Johannesburg’s streets using an unconventional and usual mode of transport in the cycle race.
He took on the challenge using an ice cream bicycle. The Danville Avenue resident also completed the Amashova before making the trip to Gauteng using the bicycle.
“There were 10 of the bicycles in the race and uphills were quite difficult. Luckily the bikes are equipped with handles at the back so the other members of the cow were able to push me along,” he laughed. “The bike only has one gear and is quite heavy.”
In total we had 500 Cows, 10 Ice cream bicycles and 40 Apocalypse Cows (who completed two laps of the 94.7 Cycle Challenge). Reid said he joined the CHOC cows after seeing one of his friends in the famous suits on Twitter.
“I thought it was such an amazing idea to make a difference to children battling this disease. It was also a way to move away from the competitive cycling world and focus my passion on helping out.
“I lost my mom to cancer and cycling in these suits has a number of parallels with the disease. The suits are hot and it’s a struggle and battle to cycle in them and it reminds you in some way of the struggles little children go through in their fight against cancer. Events like the 94.7 challenge offer the ideal platform to get our message out to the residents of Durban and its surrounds,” he said.
Patel, who cycled alongside Reid in the Amashova said he felt the cows impact was more than raising funds, but also about raising awareness.
“Early detection is key. Raising awareness through the CHOC cows is about saving lives. Cancer sees no creed or status, it affects millions of people and we need to raise more awareness and educate more people. It’s a fun way to give back and make a difference to children fighting cancer,” he said.
