Child Youth Care Zimbabwe had the privilege to host a virtual run in December 2020, our very first! What an exciting experience it was as we organized online registration for participants. The objective of the event was to raise funds to assist our beneficiaries living with rare diseases, and many people came through to support this run.
42 people from countries including Zimbabwe, Botswana and the UK participated, covering distances ranging from 5 to 21 kilometres! Whether they were running or walking, the participants went the extra mile to cover such long distances. Such an exciting turnout that left us anticipating the next time we can host such an event again. In these trying times it gives all of us hope and strength to continue soldiering on, also reminds us that in the midst of social distancing, we are all still together in spirit.
Donations also came through and these went toward Covid 19 packs for 50 families of children living with rare diseases. Special thanks to Sally Mugabe Children’s Clinic for the amazing assistance with this, and to the 33 donors who gave generously to make this possible. Some of these funds will aid greatly in the upcoming World Rare Disease Day taking place on the 28th of February.
The run did not come without its challenges however, and these included failure to get a hold of some of the registered participants and challenges in setting up an Ecocash merchant platform in time due to Covid restrictions. We regarded these as a learning curve, and we are sincerely grateful to everyone who gave of their time and funds to make this run a success.
Who knew the words Virtual and Run could be put together and actually make sense?! But these are the times we are living in and we are very grateful to be part of this new dynamic of hope.
Here’s to the next one!