The public are being asked to donate old or new pairs of running shoes for a campaign in support of an organisation that uses sport to help children in some of Cape Town’s poorest neighbourhoods.
Constantia Village and the Varsity Old Boys (VOB) Running Club have been helping to collect the shoes for the Shoes For Good campaign in support of the JAG Foundation, which runs its sports programmes in Bonteheuwel, Langa, Manenberg, Lavender Hill, Vrygrond, Khayelitsha, Mitchell’s Plain, Gugulethu, Belhar, Delft, Macassar, Lwandle and Blue Downs.
Constantia Village started the collection drive in February, ahead of the annual Constantia Village Totalsports VOB Running Club 15km road race, which drew 2000 runners on Saturday March 11.
“It made sense to connect the running community here and the beneficiary of this drive, the Jag Foundation, directly with this annual road race event. We’d love all runners and our shoppers to participate and get the most donations we can to continue the good work for such a worthy cause,” said the mall’s marketing manager, Simone Chiavistello.
Barry Clarke, from the JAG Foundation, said: “We are thrilled that our communities have been chosen as the beneficiaries of the shoes. These programmes not only assist the youth, but also have a positive impact on parents, guardians, and extended family members. The shoes donated through the drive will not only benefit our programmes, but also the wider community, including running and other sports clubs.”
Donations can be dropped in the boxes at Constantia Village’s information desk. Those doing so can enter a lucky draw for a R500 gift voucher. Entries close Friday March 31.
