Durban pair tackle Spanish pilgrimmage
Women take on the challenge to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

IMAGINE walking 850kms or 535miles in seven weeks through some of the most magnificent towns and landscapes in Spain.
Two local adventurers from Durban are taking on the challenge to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain. They will be raising much needed funds and awareness for The Sunflower Fund, in turn allowing the fund to recruit and tissue type caring, committed and healthy bone marrow stem cell donors of all ethnic groups.
“The challenge, which starts on 22 August and ends on 8 October isn’t about how quickly a pilgrim takes to make their way to Santiago, it’s about finding time to think and stop to smell the roses while still in good health and able to do so. What better way than making the pilgrimage to Santiago, which has always been a dream for me,” said Annemarie Gerber.
Together with Daya Naidoo, the pair will tackle the 535Miles4Marrow Challenge because they are blessed with good health and want to do something for those who cannot.
“We are doing the challenging route starting at St Jean which takes us up over the 25km Pyrenees Mountains. We have specifically chosen this route to remember the challenges of those fighting cancer every day – especially the children, said Naidoo.
The women decided to stay clear of talking to anyone who had done the walk before as each person experiences and interprets things differently. They have done their homework so they are as prepared as can be.
“When I asked them what they were planning on taking along with them in their back packs, they assured me only the very basic essentials. Besides good shoes and sufficient pairs of socks, they have a sleeping bag, a lightweight towel, lightweight tops, two pairs of pants and a rain poncho. There are various Pilgrims’ guide books which provide the necessary information, but at the end of the day it is their shoulders that need to carry the bag,” said Stephanie Berry, PR manager for The Sunflower Fund in KZN.
The Sunflower Fund invites everyone to support this fundraising challenge and to ‘Share a Little, Save a Life’. If you would like to sponsor these women per mile or simply make a donation to The Sunflower Fund at the following bank account: Account name: The Sunflower Fund; ABSA Bank; account no.: 4051834719; branch: Tokai; branch code: 632005; Reference: KZN535M4M (name of individual/company)
Contact Stephanie Berry on 031 266 1148.