National lockdown and the mass scrapping of sporting events has not slowed down the group of fund-raising sporting enthusiasts The Cows, which has decided to host a national twelve hour marathon on Saturday asking supporters to complete thirty minutes of sporting activity in their own homes as part of a co-ordinated national event.

Run by the organiser of the KZN Herd Iris Varty, the participants can book a thirty minute time slot anytime between 6am and 6pm, for which they have to make a R30 donation to the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa through a special GivenGain account.

“It is open to absolutely anyone, you don’t have to be a member of The Cows or anything like that,” said Varty. “There are so many videos of people doing unusual workouts at home during the lockdown. Now we want everyone to come together to do whatever workout they want to, and do it for a really good cause.”

“Run around the garden for thirty minutes, ride your bike in the garden or your static trainer, do yoga, go for a walk, play golf – anything is allowed!” she explained.

The Cows have set up a Facebook Group for the event with all the details. Anyone wanting to be part of the national campaign should email Varty on durbsdaisy@hotmail.com. Participants will be allowed to upload their photos or videos of their thirty minute activity onto the page, and prizes will be awarded to the zaniest posts.

“The lockdown has really managed to bring this country together, even if has done this by keeping us apart, she added.

“One of the consequences of the lockdown is that a number of sporting events that The Cows regularly use to raise money for CHOC have been cancelled, like the Two Oceans this weekend. That has meant that the income that CHOC derives from The Cows to run their CHOC Houses at hospitals where kids are getting cancer treatment is drying up.

“So this way we all get to exercise, have fun, connect online, and most importantly through each of our small donations, we are helping our little heroes,” she explained.

Varty herself will be busy all day on Saturday as her enthusiasm to run the national twelve hour project has led to several donors offering to make substantial donations for each half-hour she is on her static bike at her home.

“I guess that will mean twelve hours on the bike for me on Saturday!” she chuckled.

The event Facebook group can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/286268745697021/