As the coronavirus pandemic continues to take hold of the poorest communities in South Africa, Canoeing South Africa set up a 24 hour #Canoeing4COVID19 fundraiser over the past weekend as they continue to raise money for the members of the paddling community hardest hit by the national lockdown.
After president of CSA Kim Pople and head of development Janet Simpkins were approached by several canoeing development and clubs they acted quickly and put together a 24 hour fundraiser that asked each participant to do thirty minutes of exercise during the 24 hour period.
Dubbed Canoeing4COVID19, the project included a mass ergo training session, a waterbottle challenge, a gym session and a surfski coaching clinic with Oscar Chalupsky, attracting participants and donations from around the world.
“We were overwhelmed by the response to our Canoeing4COVID19 initiative and want to thank everyone that took part,” Pople said. “It just goes to show that we are a special community and we hope that this will go a long way to help ease the suffering for members of our paddling community.
“The money will be centrally controlled by the CSA Covid-19 committee and all our community members in need will receive support from us.”
Coach of the Soweto Canoeing and Recreation Club Nkosi Mzolo said he was grateful for all the effort that has been put into raising money for those that need it.
“I just want to say thank you to those people that took on the challenges whether it be indoors or outdoors and those that donated to this initiative,” Mzolo said.
“Thank you for helping make sure that there is food on the table for those that are in need of it and for our future champions in the sport.
“Please stay safe and please support those that are in need during this time, they really rely on you,” he added.
Lembethe Canoe Club coach Lucas Mthalane echoed what Mzolo said in thanking the canoeing community for all their efforts in raising funds.
“Thank you so much to everyone that donated money and took part in the Canoeing4COVID19 initiative,” he said.
“Thank you for helping us make sure that there our community have something to eat during this incredibly tough time that South Africa and the world is facing.
“The majority of paddlers in the Valley of a Thousand Hills come from disadvantaged backgrounds and I know that food parcels will go a long way to supporting them during this lockdown.”
There is still money coming in via the various platforms and from overseas so CSA haven’t yet put a price on the final amount that has been raised from the initiative.
CSA have left the donation portals open for anyone that wants to donate. The Zapper code and the banking details are on the website as well as on social media for people to use.