With a simple goal to raise R100,000 for Multiple Sclerosis, South Africans proved what they are made of and tripled that!
South Africa (20 May 2025) – They say a journey begins with a single step. For the thousands of people who laced up their takkies this May, every step meant something more: a show of strength, a stride towards awareness, and a collective push to put multiple sclerosis (MS) where it belongs: behind us.
The May50K, a global fitness and fundraising challenge, officially arrived on South African soil this year, and the response has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Launched in Australia as part of their spirited Kiss MS Goodbye campaigns, the initiative has now grown into a worldwide movement powered by the MS International Federation (MSIF). Thanks to a licensing agreement with MSIF, Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA) was granted the opportunity to bring the May50K to our shores. And South Africans, in true Ubuntu fashion, showed up.
In its very first year, over 1,600 South Africans registered for the challenge, not only surpassing the initial goal of R100,000 but soaring toward the R300,000 mark and counting! These funds are more than numbers on a board; they are a lifeline for thousands living with MS in South Africa and around the globe.
Participants were encouraged to run, walk, or roll 50 kilometres throughout the month of May, in their own time, at their own pace, and in their own neighbourhoods. But it’s about more than just the distance; it’s about determination, visibility, and solidarity. Many of the qualities that we see embodied by the very people who are battling the disease.
South African Paralympian Kat Swanepoel joined the cause, dedicating her efforts to a 50km swim for MSSA. She along with so many, are making the difference. Each kilometre covered represents not only a personal goal but a powerful message: You are not alone!
Your Effort. Your Impact.
The beauty of the May50K is how inclusive and empowering it is. Whether you’re an experienced runner, a casual walker, or pushing the limits from a wheelchair, this challenge meets you where you are.
And the impact is immediate:
- 30% of funds raised stay in South Africa, directly supporting MSSA’s vital services, from trusted information and advocacy to emotional support and connecting people with MS to community care.
- 70% fuels global MS research, drives access to effective treatments and builds advocacy efforts in underserved regions, ensuring that no matter where someone lives, they’re not left behind in the search for answers or support.
South Africa now joins a powerful chorus of countries, including Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany in taking on the May50K challenge through MSIF. Each step taken across continents is stitched together by one goal and one voice.
And this is just the beginning. As MSSA steps into its official role as a May50K Global Partner in 2025, the next campaign promises to be even more impactful with bigger goals, broader reach, and an ever-stronger sense of community.
So, thank you to every South African who showed up, moved their body, and gave what they could so far. You’ve proven that when we come together, step by step, we can move mountains, and bring hope to thousands living with MS.
To continue this support, please check out the website here. You can see the scoreboard for the biggest fundraisers, the most productive teams and our biggest heroes!
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