Ultra marathon runner, Zanele Hlatshwayo hopes to raise R180 000 for depression and suicide awareness.
Hlatswayo lost her father in 2008 due to depression and suicide, now she is looking to break all the negative perceptions surrounding depression.
There is so much negative perception and stigma attached to mental illness.
— Zanele Hlatshwayo, Ultra marathon runner
I therefore made a decision to use my passion which is running to raise awareness about depression as well as raising funds for the organisation for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag).
— Zanele Hlatshwayo, Ultra marathon runner
Hlatswayo has partnered with SADAG for the #Rise18 campaign and says the organisation has offered her a lot of support.
On the 31st of March she will be running the 56 km Two Oceans marathon. Her last race will be the Washie100 miller which is a 160 km race over 26 hours, taking place on the 27th – 28th of July 2018 from Port Alfred to East London.
So far she has raised just over R47 000 through a crowdfunding platform Back-a-Buddy.