Norkem park gym fanatic turns her home jog into fundraiser
The ultra-runner has completed five Comrades marathons between 2015 and 2019
Comfort Selebi (50), a Norkem Park gym fanatic, turned her daily run into a challenge to raise funds for People Matter Foundation (PMF) to assist the disadvantaged amid lockdown.
PMF is an NPO that has been formed to provide care and support for people in times of distress as a result of disasters. PMF cares for people irrespective of who they are and where they come from.
The ultra-runner has completed five Comrades marathons between 2015 and 2019 and has podium finishes in the Jeppe Marathon 2020, Wonder Park Marathon 2020, Varsity Kudus 15km and Spar Thembisa Mile in October 2019.
Selebi started #The comfort run for food challenge on April 25 and finished on April 29 to help raise money for a church foundation.
“The church I attend, Hope Restoration Ministries, was asking for donations for PMF. I have a sport recovery business, which is badly affected by the lockdown and I did not have money to donate. Then I asked myself, how can I help.
“The idea for the food challenge came to mind. I was doing 30km yard runs (around my house) for five days. My yard route measures 100m. I had to do 100 laps around my house to get to 1km.
“I asked my Facebook friends, who are mostly athletes, to donate R30 (R1 per km) per day or R150 once off or more to PMF to help feed the needy.
“I posted my yard results on Facebook on a daily basis. Till date I am still waiting to hear from the foundation on how much was raised during the five days. It fulfills me just like finishing a race to know that I raised my hand to help others. I just did it!
“I would like to say to the people of Kempton Park. We need to know what is the purpose of all of this. Wait and be patient, this too shall pass. This is the time to pray for the healing of whole world,” said Selebi.
