One of the event’s two beneficiaries, Northwood Children’s Hospice (NCH) in Mount Croix, was founded in 2010 to provide support, care and information for their little patients and their families.

Founded by Maureen Lamb, they are currently a day centre, but are fundraising tirelessly to expand the operation into a full-time one, with a team of medical professionals on hand to offer both medical skills and palliative care.

Lamb said that her team were driven by their love of children and every staff member was passionate about paediatric palliative care. “We see the care that we give as a ‘kiss in the pocket’ for children to carry as long as they need it,” she said.

Lamb said proceeds from the Women’s Challenge would contribute to the centre’s Brick Challenge, which drives fundraising for the building of three patient wings needed for the little patients who need to stay and rest onsite.

“The gifts we receive from the work we do cannot be measured in human terms. However, the love and expressions of support we receive from the community always leaves us with warmth in our hearts.”

The Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities (APD) in Nelson Mandela Bay are the second beneficiary.

SPAR Eastern Cape marketing director Abri Swart said they were proud to be associated with worthy causes such as NCH and APD.

“We are about more than just shopping. We are passionate about the communities we serve and pride ourselves on enriching the community at large. We also like the fact that our participants feel a sense of accomplishment in knowing that the race has assisted us in giving back to the community.”

The SPAR Little Ladies’ Race takes place at Pollok Beach on Monday, 2 May followed by the Women’s Challenge on Saturday, 7 May.

For more information, visit the website.