You won’t believe what we did!!

Guess what? It’s 2017, year of the rooster! For those uneducated in the Chinese zodiac (we’ll excuse you this once), the rooster signifies fortune, luck, protection as well as bossiness (!?). Sounds like it’s going to be a good year! For team shake n bake, the new year comes with the harsh reality that commitments made under duress through team members still remain unchanged. Our Virgin Money giving page is still up and running, so please donate to our cause to keep those numbers ticking higher and higher. Its really easy and quick. A small bit goes a long way to reach our ultimate goal of £3000. Pound by pound, minute by minute we will inch close and closer with your help. Like our posts, share and tell all your friends, family and colleagues about our challenge. #runningoftherhinos2017

It’s only official once you have a logo. Now how sexy is this? Thanks for the design Anika, you’re unbelievably talented and we owe you a dinner when we’re back in South Africa!

The idea of running the London Marathon in rhino costumes brings great joy during the day but constant night sweat when thinking of the monumental task which lies ahead of us. Inch by inch, we will move forward…

However, as Neale Walsch once said, “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone” so there is a lot of living that is being done. As it stands today, there are 106 days till we climb into those rhinos suits and make the journey of pain, sacrifice and happiness for 42kms for the rhinos. We have been working hard at keeping up with the training plan during the festive season, which seems impossible but our commitment to this cause is relentless. This was further evident in creating our first promotional video of the Running of the Rhino 2017 campaign. We explored the streets of London in our rhino costumes with the assistance of our camera crew (Ishu Pathak, Nisith Mutha thanks for putting up with our blind, staggering process through the tube stations). Our favourite quote of the day was when someone walked past and said, “I didn’t even know the rhino’s needed saving”. Mission accomplished! Have a look at the video and share you thoughts. 🙂

Michael even had the opportunity to chat to some of the rhinos in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve in South Africa during December. The rhinos had some inspiring words regarding our valiant effort for Save the Rhino. This may or may not of left Mike aka Day time coach in tears.

deep…this rhino said it first

It has been a fascinating learning experience for us both, from observing the rhinos all the way back home on the African continent to interacting with the other rhino runners, activists and supporters: from Kate Parker and Elizabeth Winton through to global sporting icons such as Thierry Henry and Kevin Pietersen. The care and compassion shown by all is truly heart warming and encouraging to us. We are both honoured and at the same time humbled to be fighting the good fight with you guys.

Russel and Mike are currently organising some interesting prizes for a few competitions coming up so be alert. There has even been a mention by a group of friends regarding making donations on the basis that we grow our beards to show our solidarity towards the rhinos. Let us know what you think of this idea!

Nonetheless, with the new year behind us we hope for prosperity for all and blessing in abundance for all our supporters, without your continued support our goal would not be within reach. Now it’s time to individually thank our beautiful supporters for their generous donations!

Jeannette (Handsome Rob’s mom)- a loyal supporter of team shake n bake since the early days, we salute your determination to help make sure that your children’s children will be able to see rhino’s frolicking in the wild (no pressure Rob). Also, thanks for giving the world such a handsome son.

Lukas Schmid- spearheading the Swiss fundraising effort, by relocating money from the Swiss banks straight to the grasslands of Africa. Thank you for you BIG donation you legend. Carry on making kickass drones, the GoPro Karma will be on all of our birthday present wish lists this year:)

Alex Kendall- the kiwi legend himself. You’ve provided endless entertainment with your pranks inside and outside The Zoo, and are always up for an adventure, even it’s just throwing paper planes out of your window. Thanks for helping us help the rhino’s!

Simone Schmid- your sibling generosity knows no limits! Your running achievements are a pinnacle of inspiration for us all, and we’ll be channeling your never ending reserves of endurance on the 23rd of April. This is no Comrades marathon, but we’ll need all the help we can get.

Lois (Mikes mom)- not only does Mike give you grey hairs through his ridiculous adventures, but you carry on sponsoring them! You’re a crazy lovely woman and we love you to bits. Kisses and hugs are being sent to Westville.

Jamie Gundry- now that’s what flatmates are for! Thanks a million for your very generous donation, which is actually just a small part of what you’re going to give in moral support, chocolates, biscuits and maybe a bit of whiskey leading up to the big day;) Also, you take amazing photos!

Isaiah Wellington-Lynn – how much more support could a fellow Connaughtian get. Your curiosity and caring nature will be needed as we undertake this epic endeavour. Your donation is very much appreciated.

That’s it for our list of sponsors, for now. If you want your very own shoutout, then mosey on over to our just giving page and donate! With quality reviews like these, it’s actually quite the bargain, plus you get to see what we think of you;)

Sending our best belated festive season wishes and new years happiness to all. Keep on, keeping on!

never too late (or early) for some Christmas cheer!

#runningoftherhinos2017 #teamshakenbake #savetherhino

On January 6, 2017January 6, 2017 By Shake 'n BakeIn Running of the Rhinos 2017Leave a comment

We’re back, and giving it HORNS!!

Hey you. Yes, you. Has anyone told you how flippin fantastic you are?? We couldn’t say it better than this..

Now that you remember what fans we are of you, we’ll get started…..

Another year has come and almost gone, which means that we here at Team Shake n Bake are in need of another adventure (for those unaware of the awesomeness of Shake n Bake, here’s something to get you up to speed). After the MAD 1400km run from Johannesburg to Cape Town, the bar has been set high for the next challenge. Well, what we like to say is, when you can’t get over it, smash right through it. This time, we’ll be doing literally that. Let’s put it this way, if you wanted to do something truly ridiculous while running the London Marathon, what would it be? Scroll down, and we think you’ll agree it doesn’t get more ridiculous than this…

How’s that for a fashion statement! Let’s make sure that this isn’t the only type of rhino we see in the future…because let’s be honest, it looks nothing like the real thing. Come 23 April 2017, Mike and Russel will be donning these stylish suits and setting off on a 42km stroll around London.

Yes, call us crazy.  We’ve partnered with Save the Rhino, raising awareness (and dollas) to support their crucial conservation programs. If you want to read more about the great work that Save the Rhino is doing, check out their website here. Their work extends far past protecting rhinos, and they have numerous programs in Africa and Asia in community conservation and environmental education. As they put it, rhinos are charismatic mega-herbivores who make fundraising for other conservation programs so much easier. We love these guys!

This is Sudan, the last male Northern White rhino. His two female companions are under 24 hour protection by armed guards.

Team Shake n Bake (say hello to our sexy rhino runners) have pledged to raise £3000 through this cheeky run, with all proceeds going to Save the Rhino International. If you want to help smash our fundraising goal, our giving page is up and running. Check the right hand side of the page to find the link to the Virgin Money Giving site (or just click here). It’s a stupidly simple process, and all proceeds go directly to Save the Rhino programs. Friends and family in the Republic (of South Africa that is), the pound has been weakened, so now is your chance to make every Rand count. Viva Brexit, viva!

Those looking for an extra 2 minutes of procrastination (we are generous yes), this video describes the absurd challenge.

We’re keeping this post short, but luckily for you we have 21 weeks until race day, and so much more to share with you;)

Shake n bake baby! 8.1/10 on IMDb thanks to the superb acting of this rhino dressed up as a policeman.

We have some kickass prizes and raffles that we’ll reveal in our next post, but until then, stay golden.

xoxo