Wolo Africa 100 – 23rd Sept – 2nd Oct 2023

Ten days, 100 miles, one purpose – to raise funds for WOLO Foundation, a charity that helps and supports families living in Sussex affected by cancer.

This 10 day journey through the African bush, The Tugela River and rural Zulu communities will give you the opportunity to run or trek 100 miles (averaging 16-18 miles a day) through areas where there is plenty of wildlife, wonderful scenery and friendly people. The terrain is varied, but is predominantly undulating game paths dotted with tall standing aloes and acacias. There will be an underlying ethos of nature conservation, with an exciting initiative planned for this year. 

The trip will also support the latest conservation effort by Wolo Africa 100 – 2023 Angus Wingfield and round off with a BIG 5 SAFARI.

By signing up, you’ll help to raise vital funds so we can carry on supporting the families who urgently need our help. Wolo supports the whole family through the physical and emotional sides of cancer, and is totally unique. Many of our families report that there is no-one else out there doing what we do!

Please click link below or in bio to register your interest. 

www.wolofoundation.org/wolo-africa-100-2023

Chris Goodman’s story from last year

Acta Non Verba. Most people do a lot of talking and not a lot of walking…but Marcos Jarvis is all about action, and after being diagnosed with stage 4 terminal liver cancer in 2019 he set in motion a series of life changes that would see him beat that diagnosis and be declared cancer free less than 3 years later.

So, what better way to mark the 3rd anniversary of his diagnosis than to set out on a 100-mile run & trek across the wilds of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

In partnership with Africa Wild Trails, Marcos and a team of runners and hikers set out on a mammoth multi-day mission to raise money for Wolo, a charity supporting families affected by cancer (www.wolofoundation.org).

The project would also incorporate an element of in-country conservation and community engagement.

After years of research into the local giraffe population it was clear that greater genetic diversity was needed and an initiative to release a new bull giraffe would broaden the gene-pool and ensure the long-term health of the population.

With 100 miles of trails criss-crossing the bush, but also winding through local communities, the project also looked to provide funding to give back to the very communities who were playing host.

The scene is set…now the hard work begins!

Fri 30th Sept/Sat 1st Oct – All Aboard! Joh’burg bound

With four of the team already on location in Zingela, 10 intrepid travellers boarded a BA flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg. Adam and Jason had already crossed the Atlantic, flying in from Tennessee, USA!

A medical emergency mid-flight but thankfully not for team Wolo! A quick dash to terminal B and a short hop to Durban. Another meal! Logan, our driver was all smiles on arrival. As we raced inland the weather turned, from cold and cloudy to hot and humid in no time. Heads bobbed catching forty winks, before a healthy pit stop for some local cuisine, namely KFC in KZN. 

Our last leg soon came as Angus greeted us and we climbed into 4x4s. A bumpy and dusty trip down acacia lined tracks, eyes peeled for wildlife and needle-sharp thorns! Impala and Ignala, then, GIRAFFE! 2 herds, one off in the distance but then a family but meters away, watching us, warily. Calf in tow they lumbered languidly…our first glimpse.

…one more corner, and we’d made it. Warmly welcomed by Justin, Marcos and Sam, we stood in awe at the beauty of Zingela – we’d arrived!

The heat of the day had waned as we sat for a late light lunch! Then off to our rooms to unpack and settle ourselves. Our home for the next week.

Surrounded by gentle bush covered hills, Zingela is nestled alongside the Tugela River. A gentle roar of rapids in punctuated by beautiful birdsong. Every effort made to retain the wild and remote nature of the camp while trying to accommodate the modern, perhaps less adapted traveller.

Once orientated we returned to HQ for our first daily briefing and a delicious dinner. As day turned to dusk, and the river melted into the night sky, we sat around the campfire and contemplated the challenge ahead.

Another journey was underway…the coming together of strangers, sharing stories of lives lived.

Off to bed…tomorrow it begins!

Read the full story here https://wolofoundation.org/newsfeed/wolo-100-africa-a-story-of-cancer-charity-conservation-and-community

Life is precious, we need to make the most of it. We only live once – Wolo!!