They stayed (inside), they ran (far but close), they conquered …. all for the love of animals.
South Africa (20 April 2020) – With the sudden and dramatic end to all large gatherings and events due to COVID-19, life-saving Cape of Good Hope SPCA events were cancelled without warning. These events are more than just a chance for the incredible “Team SPCA” athletes to compete for a great cause. In essence, they provide the organisation with much-needed funds raised by runners, cyclists, trail runners and their supportive network of friends and family.
“The new challenge would be how to unite a community of passionate animal lovers; finding a way to join their hearts and bodies in unison all while reaching the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s R 300 000 challenge event fundraising goals.”
And so the world’s very first SPCA How Big Is Your Heart Virtual Marathon came to fruition – leading the charge was World Champion trail running legend Ryan Sandes who gladly took up the challenge to run 21km over 6 days in the shape of a heart – the SPCA admit 21km for this super-athlete is not too hard, but his passion for animals was just the “gees” needed. Soon after, others took up the baton – Smile FM’s Lindy Lehto and Mishka Patel; KFM’s always warmhearted Zoe Brown and one tenacious Vanessa Sandes Haywood ( rumour has it she was giving Ryan Sandes a run for the money).
Together with over 130 “SPCA virtual run team athletes” answered their call, and soon social media was flooded with heart-shaped runs that revealed the might of so many beautiful hearts. Checkers, The Crazy Store, Regal Pet Food and Salomon footwear, were generous enough to offer some amazing daily prizes that saw our runners rewarded for their big-hearted efforts.
“Together- thanks to this awe-inspiring effort in a time of need- we were able to raise over R 60 000, which will make the difference to hundreds of animals in distress.”
Times may be uncertain, but there is one thing we can all remain sure of – Animal Cruelty Must Stop! No Animal Should Suffer! – not during Lockdown, not during the COVID-19 Pandemic, not ever.
Let’s connect our hearts virtually and make this statement together! Together we can do this.
by 