Face of the SPAR Women’s Race gives her sole to the cause

SUNNINGHILL – We take it for granted that most of us have shoes we can run in. Many children in SA do not.

Having running shoes provides dignity, motivation to exercise and hope to underprivileged children who just want to hit the road to de-stress.

So says the face of the SPAR Women’s Race winner, Thulethu Ngqokwe (26).

Face of the SPAR Women’s Race winner, Thulethu Ngqokwe (26) is asking for your running shoes. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

The Sunninghill resident and finalist for the northern regions at the competition has made it her goal to collect as many running shoes as possible for the Drop a Pair and Show You Care campaign.

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The campaign is in its fourth year and is part of the #RaceUpWithCare initiative.

It collects running shoes for underprivileged children.

It came about when Caxton Local Media and SPAR saw how many children run the SPAR Women’s Race Joburg barefoot.

Last year 300 pairs of running shoes were given to children at Realogile Secondary School in Alexandra.

Principle Matthew Choshi said at the time, “The township suffers socio-economic challenges. Some children don’t have money for nice shoes.

Our sports facilities are not great but this will motivate the children to play sport, and will make them feel valued and inspired.”

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Ngqokwe has gone all out on social media and has used her connections in social circles to encourage people to donate.

“Most of us take it for granted that we have shoes we can run in,” she added. “But some children don’t have running shoes and it would mean so much to them.”

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Running shoes can be brought during office hours to either the Craighall office at 368 Jan Smuts Avenue or the Weltevreden Park office at 1187 Cornelis Street.

Shoes can also be brought to the race at Marks Park Sports Club on 7 October.

Details: Caxton Local Media Craighall 011 293 6195; Caxton Local Media Weltevreden Park 011 794 6869.