A journey across Africa to raise funds for charity is not something every South African would do.
A group of Durban friends, who have dubbed themselves “Team Longo Shongo”, are undertaking the challenge to save rhinos and raise money for disadvantaged children.
Kay Cloete, 27, her husband, Marc, 31, her cousin Hayley Cocks, 28, and Hayley’s fiancé, Pierre de Marigny, 30, are taking part in this year’s Put Foot Rally. They will spend 17 days travelling through seven different countries to raise funds for the Put Foot Foundation and Project Rhino KZN.
Put Foot raises funds for children in disadvantaged schools.
“The name of the team is inspired by the shongololo (millipede), because of how its little legs carry its big body,” said Kay.
Kay is a counsellor at an NGO and Marc is a publisher for SA Paddler magazine.
Hayley is a wildlife film editor and photographer and Pierre is a credit risk manager.
They are all wildlife enthusiasts and feel strongly about the plight of rhinos.
Their journey only started on Wednesday, but they have already managed to raise R59 660 by spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter and through mass e-mails.
There are 60 teams taking part in the rally, but the only competition between them is to see who can raise the most funds.
Team Longo Sholo will be travelling with the oldest car in the rally, a 1961 Mercedes-Benz Fintai. - The Mercury