Knott is an ambassador for Fit 4 Rhinos, a fundraiser initiative that combines fitness with the vital cause of raising awareness and resources for orphaned rhinos.
These vulnerable animals often lose their parents to poachers or are rejected by their mothers, leaving them in dire need of assistance. Supporting orphaned rhinos is not just essential for the survival of the species; it is an act of compassion for these innocent creatures.
The initiative is backed by the Rhino Connect NPO, which oversees the care of roughly 8 000 rhinos in private farming reserves across South Africa, including many orphans.
As a part of this noble cause, Mackenzie has set an ambitious target to raise R20 000 through her climbing challenge, aimed specifically at procuring milk and milk products for the young rhinos.
With a daily consumption of up to 21 litres of milk, every contribution is crucial, resonating with her campaign hashtag, #rememberthemilk.
In her own words, Mackenzie shares her unwavering motivation: ‘Raising funds for Rhino Orphans so that milk can be bought to feed them. My passion has always been the mountains and animals. I intend to make a difference by attempting my fifth 13 Peaks Challenge.’
She invites the public to follow her journey and support her efforts, emphasising, ‘Every drop counts, and the more people know about my challenge, the better my chances of reaching my target.’
Founder of Fit 4 Rhinos, Liezl Schoeman, highlights the unique approach of their initiative. ‘To avoid the complexities of transporting physical milk to various facilities and to enhance security for the orphans, we created a GivenGain fundraiser account.’
‘The milk purchased from donations is fat-free or skimmed, closely resembling the lipid and sugar content of actual rhino milk,’ she explains.
Schoeman acknowledges that the initiative targets a relatively untapped audience within the fitness community. ‘Our goal is to promote fitness with purpose, reaching out to those involved in fitness disciplines such as swimming, biking, running, and CrossFit,’ she notes.
Historically, the focus on community-driven conservation efforts has been minimal, with only sporadic events like the occasional Rhino Run race contributing to the cause.
‘Mackenzie is an absolute superstar, her determination for our cause is unwavering. I had the privilege of joining her last year for the Little Lion’s Head and Suther Peaks. To see that tiny body scrambling fearless up and down those mountains is just heart-warming,’ Schoeman stated.
Details:
- Website: fit4rhinos / KenzieRuns4Rhinos
- Contact: 0845631648
Also read:
Mackenzie Knott: Child activist who turned her passion into action
Picture: Fit 4 Rhinos
