A Hout Bay physiotherapist and a domestic worker, who are running partners, have challenged themselves to take on Table Mountain’s 13 peaks to raise funds for victims of abuse.
Vuyo Spamla and Sabine Muller are taking on the challenge for the Friends of Child Protection non-profit organisation (NPO) to raise R100 000 on their BackaBuddy page.
The organisation relies on volunteers and donations which allow them to distribute comfort packs to children across the Western Cape who have survived a violent assault.
Each pack costs between R80 and R120 to produce, and the NPO distributes an average of 1 200 comfort packs over two months. These packs include snacks, underwear, facecloths and soap, a fun activity, a teddy bear to cuddle and other age-appropriate items, including nappies and formula for the babies.
Table Mountain’s 13 Peaks is a challenge which covers a 100km distance and 6 000m ascent while tagging the 13 peaks of the Cape Peninsula. The pair will embark on this challenge on October 29.
Although the challenge is not a race, Spamla and Muller are aiming to complete the challenge in under 48 hours.
Muller, 57, is a physiotherapist, athlete and mother of two from Hout Bay. Spamla, 47, is a mother and works as a domestic worker in Hout Bay and Camps Bay.
Spamla said she and Muller completed a few Comrades Marathons, and their training for the 13 Peaks challenge is drawn from these experiences.
“We built our weekly mileage up to a peak of 90km, running on the road during the week,” she said.
She added: “Sabine runs early in the morning before work, and it suited me better to run after work. Over the weekend, we run together on mountains, and we have reached the entire 13 peaks over the last few months.”
Muller said being a mother and wife has given her the stamina to deal with 12-hour physical workdays.
“I have made friends with amazing like-minded individuals who have become close friends, including Vuyo,” she said.
“I have gotten to enjoy the mountains around Cape Town and further afield as my running has progressed to include trails,” she added.
Since the pair started their crowdfunding campaign in July, they have raised R32 941.91 of the R100 000.
Muller said the number of comfort packs requested exceeds what the NPO can supply.
“In December, more packs are needed than any other month. Vuyo and I need your help to be able to reach every child in need this year,” she said.
Spamla said the importance of the challenge and those who stand to benefit motivated her to participate.
“Sabine asked me to run with her, and I realised that these kids will be comforted by what we are doing,” she said.