Gqeberha athlete takes on 650km run to raise awareness of endangered rhino, tourism
Gqeberha’s ultra-endurance athlete and conservationist, Sharon Jessop, will set off on Wednesday to undertake a 650km run to remind South Africans that both the tourism industry and rhinos are equally endangered.
Jessop anticipates she will be on the road for 21 days.
Her route takes her through several Eastern Cape game reserves, including Mantis Founders Lodge, Kariega and Sibuya game reserves.
The run will start from Mantis Founders Lodge on World Rhino Day.
Fuelled by the dire state of tourism and particularly rhino conservation in her home province of the Eastern Cape, Jessop is taking on the gruelling challenge as her contribution to the “OLLIMove” for the One Land Love It (OLLI) Foundation.
The primary aim is to raise awareness and money for those most impacted by the extended lockdowns.
“Our rhino were endangered prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, and the extended lockdown has ultimately exacerbated an already tenuous situation,” she said.
“The Eastern Cape is an undiscovered gem that has so much to offer in the way of tourism.
“By supporting local, South Africans are saving businesses, creating jobs, sustaining entire families and protecting those who can’t speak for themselves: our rhino.”
Jessop also started a crowdfunding campaign that aims to raise not only awareness but also R1m to be equally divided between the OLLI Foundation and the various game reserves and their foundations such as the Mantis Collection’s Community Conservation Fund Africa.
The former public prosecutor turned fitness trainer and passionate conservationist previously said knowing she was running for a cause that was much bigger than her also kept her going.