Friends in same boat for Dusi fundraiser
TWO friends will be paddling it out at the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon with the aim of raising funds and awareness for children living with cancer in South Africa.
As the world-famous canoe marathon starts today , Gordon Reid, 44, and Brett Challenor, 42, hope to raise R30000 for the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (Choc) and the Duzi Umgeni Conservation Trust (Duct).
The Dusi Canoe Marathon attracts between 1600 and 2000 paddlers each year.
It is held over three days between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, along the Msunduzi and uMngeni rivers, and over a total distance of 120km.
Entering the marathon for the first time, Reid said he had always wanted to be a part of it.
“The Dusi Canoe Marathon has been a massive bucket list item for me to tick off. I have always wanted to do it as it is a unique experience and a true test of stamina.
“When Challenor suggested we do it for Choc, I jumped at the chance, and Duct as the chosen charity for the Dusi Canoe Marathon, we decided to donate funds to them too.
“KwaZulu-Natal is so beautiful and a lot of places on the river you would never be able to get to without the boat, so I might as well go and see it with a thousand of other people,” he said.
Every year, Reid participates in the 947 cycle challenge and the Amashova cycle race on a tandem bicycle. Last year, he participated with his 12-year-old daughter, Amy, who raised R6 600 for Choc.
Reid, also a committee member at Choc Cows (a fundraising arm of the foundation), also enjoys entering the Midmar Mile, Tour Durban, 100 Miles of Nowhere and the Great Annual Bike Ride Across Natal.They challenge people to live better lives and encourage them to push themselves by trying different sporting events and combining it with raising funds.
Challenor, who has represented South Africa in life saving, will be participating in the Dusi Canoe Marathon for the 18th time this year.
“I get interested in anything that involves water… I had stopped until a last-minute decision to do it for charity. It is just about fun and raising money for charity,” he said.
To donate, visit https://www.givengain. com/ap/13752/
‘THE DUSI CANOE MARATHON HAS BEEN A MASSIVE BUCKET LIST ITEM FOR ME TO TICK OFF’