With just days to go to the 2019 edition of the aQuellé Midmar Mile the grouping of sport fanatics who channel their energy into raising money for the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa is growing in number and enthusiasm ahead of the world’s biggest open water swim.

Affectionately dubbed the Midmoo Mile, over 200 men and women have signed up to swim the distance in the hallmark black and white cowprint costumes and channel their energy into a goal of raising R500 000 or CHOC on the weekend of the race. Currently The Cows have raised R250 000 ahead of the event next weekend.

The swimmers will take on the mile of water across Midmar dam spread throughout the various races over the two days, united by their goal to raise money and awareness for the plight of underprivileged kids fighting cancer.

“We have many loyal supporters of our Herd at the aQuellé Midmar Mile, and they come back every year with even more enthusiasm and fund raising ideas,” said Iris Varty, the convener of the Midmoo Milers.

“We get so excited when The Cows resonates with schools and this year we have had unbelievable support from schools across the country sending teams of swimmers to swim the Mile in our cow print costumes.

For years St Marys in Kloof has backed the black-and-white clad Cows, and now they have been joined by a flood of schools, many from Gauteng.

“Hatfield Christian School is sending down a team of 32 swimmers!” she enthused. “St Marys DSG in Pretoria also has a team of swimmers committed to racing for The Cows.

“Fourways High School is confirming the size of their team as we speak which will push our numbers over 300, with plenty more expressing interest,” she added.

“The rockstars at Holy Rosary School have already raised over R36 000, and they are still going flat-out between now and the race to add to that.

She said that the recently formed group called the Midmoo Nutellas were also raising a lot money through the race and were closing in on the running total gathered by the Holy Rosary School.

“Our leading individual fundraiser is Megan Topp, who has raised over R5000 on her own,” said Varty, better known as Daisy.

She extended an appeal to KwaZulu-Natal schools to join in with The Cows efforts on the weekend of the aQuellé Midmar Mile, adding that it was unusual that the surge in interest in the event seemed to be coming from Gauteng schools, while the local schools are lagging behind.

“There are so many great schools around the Midlands and we would love to see them embrace the race, and if they are interested, to race in The Cows costumes,” said Varty.