The Herald (South Africa)

Golden oldie walks 91km for poor, raises R2m

- Unathi Nkanjeni

Business veteran Solly Krok has raised more than R2m for those who have been affected by Covid-19 by completing a 91km walk yesterday.

Minutes after his last lap in his Johannesbu­rg suburb, the 91-year-old said he could not be happier with the outcome.

Krok started the walk on his birthday, May 28.

He was inspired to do the walk by 99-year-old British war veteran Tom Moore who, according to The Telegraph, raised almost £33m (R699.6m) for NHS charities by doing laps in his garden using a walker.

Krok’s goal is to raise R108m to help support poor SA communitie­s during these unpreceden­ted times.

“What breaks my heart is that the poor were poor before Covid-19 and will remain poor after Covid-19,” he said.

“I am determined to make a difference by raising funds from internatio­nal and local organisati­ons to help those who need it.”

Some of the funds would go into food parcels and support children and the elderly, Krok said.

Under his venture called Keep the Wolf from the Door, Krok partnered with organisati­ons Afrika Tikkun and Siyakhana to address poverty and hunger.

He said the race was far from over and encouraged others to join him to help meet his goal.

“Maybe next week I’ll go for another walk again and would like to nominate those younger than me to also join me and raise awareness and funds too,” he said.

Those who wish to contribute can do so by sending their donations to Afrika Tikkun NPC using the FNB account number 6219606410­0 and “keep the wolf from the door” as a reference.

 ??  ?? FIGHTING FIT: Solly Krok, 91, raised more than R2m for people most affected by Covid-19 by completing a 91km walk yesterday
FIGHTING FIT: Solly Krok, 91, raised more than R2m for people most affected by Covid-19 by completing a 91km walk yesterday

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