Ten days of 10 kilometres each day.
This is the running challenge Somerset West Night Shelter’s Jo Swart set her sights on in aid of homeless advocacy at the start of the year. However, after toughing out the challenge with a welcome boost to the community organisation’s coffer, the determined running enthusiast decided to up the commitment ante by taking on 20 days of 10 km per day during the month of love (February) while building towards the March challenge of 30 days of 10 km a day.
“Most of the things that end up pulling us down in life are mental instability, emotional hurt and lack of encouragement. Aligning myself with the ongoing needs of our homeless and the daily challenges inspires me to focus mentally on their struggles and ongoing strength to endure and overcome. My goal is endurance and encouraging others,” shared Swart.
Asked what inspired the idea of running for funds, the friendly face fuelled by a fiery compassion said: “I need mental motivation, and since physical challenges have much to do with determination, I chose something that would be a stretch. So I got up and laced up my running shoes. And, to compliment my efforts, I use this as an advocacy tool; I created a fundraising project on the online platform Given Gain.”
According to Swart, she was able to raise R16 101 in January and is hoping to bring in R20 000 or more for February. She explained that the necessary funds would go towards the daily operating costs of the shelters, which serve 160 people over two sites on the same street.
Single-parent families as well as couples with children under the age of 18 are offered sanctuary at the family shelter with single adults aided with their needs including education, transport, hygiene, nutrition, employment opportunities and skills training at the adult shelter.
“I started with 10 days of 10 km per day in January and was not ‘run-fit’, I pushed through a tender Achilles heel, which miraculously healed. In February I upped my commitment to 20 days and plan to do a 30-day streak for March.
“Most days I try to get a run in early, as the heat of summer is intense. I run twice a week with the Silwer Valke from the Strand Athletics Club and the rest of the time on my own or with a friend. I usually run from Paardevlei to the end of the Strand beach-front and back.
“Busy days are a challenge. If I don’t run first thing, I have to run late at night. I have also had to run through the dreaded stomach bug that so many others suffered from and ended up running from one public toilet to the next, now realising how precious a public toilet is.”
Swart highlighted the opportunity to engage with the homeless along the way – those having just woken up and others already on the move, with time to think of their plight, interact and acknowledge them.
Asked what she does for training as the challenge of running 10 km as an on-and-off-again runner is no small feat, she said: “Whoops, am I supposed to train?”
Swart encouraged the community to follow the Somerset West Night and Family Shelter on social media, @somersetwestnightandfamilyshelter and show the shelters some support – not just in giving, which is always vital, but in serving or just being aware. “Please visit us, find out more and get involved. Our shelters are for our community and something of significance that we can all be proud of,” she added.
