Cows are banking the moo-la for CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA only they are not actual cows but heroes riding for change!
South Africa (25 November 2020) – We know what you are probably thinking… “Cows? How can cows raise money?” Well, to be honest, they are not real cows, just humans dressed up as cows doing cool things!
Have you ever been to a sporting event like a cycling race and seen someone dressed as a cow for the race? If the answer is yes, then you have seen a dedicated individual (or group) raising money for CHOC. CHOC provides support and cares for children affected by childhood cancer. The diagnosis in South Africa is daunting.
“Childhood cancers and blood disorders affect 1 in 600 children under the age of 16. It is estimated that currently less than half of children with cancer in South Africa are diagnosed, and many of those who are diagnosed are in an advanced stage of illness, resulting in survival rates in South Africa being not much more than 50%, compared with nearly 90% in developed countries.”
The money raised to date has paid many of the social workers’ salaries. It also has seen CHOC houses bought and refurbished, a house built in East London, the refurbishment and upgrading of the paediatric oncology wards at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, vehicles purchased and transport costs paid, and it has supported awareness campaigns for childhood cancer.
The Cows recently held their 2020 fundraising event which saw riders raise over R1,2 million.
“On behalf of CHOC and The Cows I would like to extend a massive thank you to each and every volunteer, donor, sponsor, spectator and Cow that took part in The Cow and Belle ride on Saturday the 14th of November 2020. Your commitment to making sure that this event was such a MOOSIVE success shows in the phenomenal amount of money raised, especially given that this was a fun “training ride”. Due to both donor and Cows commitment and support of our event we were able to raise over R1, 2 million for our Cancer Superheroes.
Saturday’s event saw 112 riders conquering the 180km ride and raising over R1million between the 8 teams. We then had 35 riders smashing the 90km ride and raising around R120 000 between them. Finally, we had 18 riders tackling the 45km ride and raising over R70 000 between them. This brings our total money raised to date in at approximately R1 275 348, 00. However we are not stopping here, we are continuing to get more money in on a daily basis so we are now aiming for the R1, 5million mark.”
How the Cows started
The Cows were started in 2008 by a group of eight enthusiastic cyclists keen to make a difference by raising funds for the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation. The founder members joined Kerrin and Grant Bain in cycling the 947 Cycle Challenge in memory of their 20-month-old daughter, Jessica, who they had lost to cancer.
As CHOC had played a significant role in the Bain family’s life, the decision was to make CHOC the sole beneficiary of their quest. They decided to don cow suits (because that was the only animal suit they could hire 8 of!) and they succeeded in raising R230K.
In 2009, the herd gained momentum and grew to an incredible 140 energetic cows. Just two years later, the herd numbered a staggering 350 cows all riding for a purpose. Thirteen years later, thousands of people have participated in events wearing cow suits. The Cows have broken through the R44 million mark of funds raised for specific projects implemented by CHOC, and The Cows brand is prominent in many sporting events in South Africa. With these funds, CHOC is able to make a difference to the children with cancer throughout South Africa.
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