Chicks, Cheese, Wine and Beer - Lockdown Style

What

Sometimes to be without something makes you realise how much a part of your life it really is. Lockdown really has made us cherish our Wednesday trail runs and CWT events.

So with connection in mind, we’re going to attempt to host a virtual Chicks, Cheese, Wine and Beer night! Hells to the yes.

As always, RUN store are involved, and while we can’t all huddle together around Jack Black cooler boxes in the store and listen to rad Q&A’s, we will still do our best to create a virtual vibe of sorts. A place to banter, see familiar faces, clink glasses virtually and listen to some lukka interesting chats. So ration some of your wine (or beer) stock, make a little cheese board, set up your devices (with Zoom downloaded) and settle in for our first attempt at hosting a virtual community evening.

Who

First up we have Toni McCann, a wannabee foodie, nutritionist and bloody fast trail runner, who will be doing a food demo. Yes, we’re going to be doing a LIVE food demo! Let’s be honest, we are all coming out of lockdown a little more soft around the edges, but Toni will be creating a comfort dish that is as kind to your body as it is to your taste buds. Cook along, shoot her some questions, and indulge her in her debut and the next ‘Food Network Star’.

Second we chat to trail runner and the founder and coach of Flat Rock Endurance, Erin van Eyssen. This chat will be done Q&A style with Bryony, and we’ll be chatting to Erin about how to stay sane and fit(ish) as a trail runner during lockdown, what not to do and most importantly, the road back to getting fit once we’re allowed out.

And last, but certainly not least, we’ve got ultradistance trail legend, Landie Greyling, who will be doing a slideshow on her recent run across Lesotho, a casual 222km run with 7700m of up and down, 30 odd river crossings and I’m sure, a heap of amazing (and not so amazing) challenges and experiences. We’ve seen some of the pictures and dayum, they will get you frothing for your next outside adventure. We can dream right?

Where and How

Everything will be going down on Zoom, when you purchase your ticket you will be given your unique zoom code. We suggest making the screen Speaker view, so you can watch who is chatting at the time. You will be muted during the Q&A time, but comments are encouraged and you will be unmuted to ask/join the conversation during the evening.

For Who

All money raised will go to CAN, Gugulethu Community Action Network led by Pamela Silwana, who have been working tirelessly to map and identify vulnerable households in Gugulethu. They have thus far identified over 2000 vulnerable families. Their mapping is ongoing. Money will be used to support and feed local families. Please see below for more info.

Nitty Gritty

•         This is normally Chicks Only, but hey, it’s lockdown and errrybody needs some entertainment

•         Tickets: R50 on Quicket with all proceeds CAN (Gugulethu Community Action Network)

•         When: Tuesday, 28 April

•         Time: 19h00 – 20h30

•         Where: The comfort of your couch/bed at home

Remember to have your beer or wine on hand, and come ready to have some laughs, be inspired and share in the Chicks Who Trail community, because we bloody miss you crazy bunch.

Gugulethu CAN

Seaboard, founder by George van der Schyff, has partnered with the Gugulethu Community Action Network (CAN), led by Pamela Silwana, who have been working tirelessly to map and identify vulnerable households in Gugulethu. They have thus far identified over 2000 vulnerable families. Their mapping is ongoing.

Pamela Silwana is a volunteer staff member at the Gugulethu branch of the unemployed movement, Organising for Work. She has been a peer facilitator at the National Youth Development Agency and Khulisa Social Solutions, has done fieldwork and admin for UCT and University of Stellenbosch. She does occasional tutoring and childcare work, but is currently unemployed. She is a mother of three.

George, a trail runner, mountain man, entrepreneur and someone who puts community first, has been liaising with Pamela and her team of 20 volunteers in Gugulethu during the lockdown.

“60% of the residents in Gugulethu have no current income or access to finance as of last month. There is no way a family of 6 can stay confined to a space of 3x3m in some cases. Many people operate in near crisis mode daily, so the connection, community and systems they have in place via street/block/area champions far surpasses what we have in the west, the middle class, the well-to-do. It’s utterly humbling what they’re doing for their neighbours, for the poorest or oldest or most handicapped on their street.

The process of putting this campaign and mechanism in place has been no small fete, so many nuances to consider and much learnt from the structures the Gugs community has in place, so effectively we have managed to plug in and support a very inclusive and fair framework when it comes to identifying the most vulnerable and need households in Gugulethu. Thank you all for your patience and please don’t hesitate to shout with any question as to how we are implementing this, lots of proof points in place to ensure all is traceable and transparent.”

R550 will support a family of 6 for a week with:

• Basic foods incl. fresh produce

• Toiletries

• Data / airtime

• Electricity

The voucher enables purchasing freedom over any time period and includes a 10% stipend for Pamela and her team of volunteers working on the frontlines. Wherever possible, our partnership is committed to supporting the local Gugulethu economy. 20% of each voucher will go to neighbourhood traders and local farmers.