Mountain climbed, rhinos saved

IN keeping with the aged old saying ‘charity starts at home,’ seven year old Rebecca De Allende’s love and concern for rhinos inspired her and her friends to take action and do something about it.

Her goal was simply to raise enough funds for a few truckloads of feed for the rhinos at Zululand Rhino Reserve – a goal which she achieved.

In raising awareness Rebecca climbed the iconic Table Mountain last week Sunday.

Accompanied by family and friends, Rebecca hiked up Platteklip Gorge, a route that gains around 700 meters (2300 feet) over a distance of only 3 km – a huge feat for someone with little feet!

With the hopes of one day being a paleontologist, ‘but maybe also an archaeologist,’ Rebecca said that she was inspired to raise the funds after her uncle had shown her a video of the rhinos at the Zululand Rhino Reserve.

‘During Rhino week, Hunter came to our school and I really wanted to try doing something for the Rhinos.

‘My Uncle Clive showed me a video of the Rhinos at Zululand Rhino Reserve and it made me so sad that they had nothing to eat.

‘I thought it would be a good idea to try getting money to help get them food.’

With the help of her parents, Llauren and Benito De Allende, Rebecca managed to raise R12 949 in donations from people both locally and abroad.

Llauren said that it is very difficult for them as parents to express how proud they are of their daughter’s achievement.

‘She has always had a love and concern for animals so when she told us she wanted to do something for the rhinos we decided that as parents we need to support her and help her in any way we can to reach her goal.’

Llauren documented Rebecca’s entire cause from start to finish and kept the public informed by creating a Facebook page called ‘Boo’s Rhino Challenge.’

‘Rebecca sees Boo’s Rhino Challenge as a number of different challenges in the future with the hopes of it being an annual event.

‘She is already trying to find the next one to raise awareness.’

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