12-year-old Comrades cheerleader explains kind motive behind act that captured the hearts of South Africans
12-year-old Maddyson Shepard has captured the hearts of thousands of South Africans after enthusiastically cheering exhausted runners at last weekend's Comrades Marathon.
In a video which went viral in the past week, the Grade 7 learner from Northlands Primary School in Durban was seen giving high-fives and enthusiastic cheers to runners, even jogging alongside them for brief stretches.
The barefoot cheerleader has been widely praised for her display of pure selflessness, with her warmth and energy becoming emblematic of the Comrades spirit of unity, perseverance and heart.
'I just thought if I were running, I'd love someone to cheer me on,' she said softly, at a special event held at her school this week, where representatives of fast food chain Wimpy presented her with gift packages and vouchers.
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