by Zane Groenewald | Dec 18, 2025 | Campaign, Featured
St Luke’s Combined Hospices invites all South Africans to open their hearts and help care for more than 600 vulnerable patients and their families living across the Western Cape, including Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, and Grassy Park.
The palliative care campaign, hosted on BackaBuddy, is raising funds to ensure that patients facing life-limiting illness receive care with comfort, dignity, and compassion, when they need it most.
The campaign is supported by Frank Rautenbach, a respected South African actor and producer, best known for his roles in Faith Like Potatoes, The Bang Bang Club, the biographical film Hansie: A True Story, and the long-running television series 7de Laan. Through his involvement, Frank is helping raise awareness of the realities faced by terminally ill patients and the importance of community support.
In his video message supporting the campaign, Rautenbach says:
“I’d like to highlight the plight of more than 600 terminally ill people living across the Western Cape. For the most part, these people are fighting this battle on their own because many of their families are just trying to make ends meet. At St Luke’s Combined Hospices, we are determined to give them dignity and hope — but we can’t do it on our own.”
St Luke’s Combined Hospices provides holistic palliative care through home-based medical and nursing support, counselling, meals, and bereavement care for families. The cost of caring for one patient is approximately R2,500, making public support essential to sustaining these services.
Rautenbach adds:
“Our goal is to raise R370,000, and all of it goes towards nursing care, counselling, and meals. With as little as R100, you can help us bring dignity and hope to these most precious people.”
Members of the public are encouraged to watch Frank Rautenbach’s full video message, where he shares why he is supporting this campaign:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NR8fj3ipJg
Any amount you’re able to give helps bring comfort, dignity, and care to someone who needs it most. Every contribution goes directly towards patient care and family support.
To support the campaign, visit: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/support-palliative-patients-this-festive-season
by Zane Groenewald | Dec 4, 2025 | Campaign, Featured
Photo above: John and Judy, and Great Dane, Charles.
Marlands, Germiston, Johannesburg – What began with a tiny, dying puppy on a doorstep has grown into one of the East Rand’s most heartfelt grassroots rescue initiatives. Today, Recycling for Animal Welfare (RAW) — a registered non-profit organisation — is asking the public for support to keep their rescue work going alongside the recycling efforts they have carried out faithfully for years.
Paul: The Puppy Who Started It All
Eight years ago, a freezing, limp puppy later named Paul arrived at the home of Judy Knox (54) and her partner John Ancill (60) in Marlands, Germiston. Severely ill and minutes from death, Paul was rushed to the vet — who later said he would not have survived had he arrived even an hour later.
For months, Paul fought for his life, surviving Parvo, tick bite fever, and gastro. Judy and John stayed beside him through every drip, every setback, every shaky breath.
Against all odds, Paul survived. And when he finally recovered enough to be adopted, they both knew he was already home.
Paul became RAW’s very first rescue — the little soul whose courage shaped the heart and purpose of the organisation.
On 18 July 2025, Paul passed away from liver cancer after eight deeply cherished years. His loss was heartbreaking, but his legacy lives on in every animal RAW helps today.
How RAW Was Born — Turning Recyclables Into Lifesaving Care
In 2017, Judy and John wanted a sustainable and dignified way to fund veterinary care for animals in crisis. They had never wanted to ask for donations — they preferred to earn the money needed to help each animal.
So, after their full-time day jobs and every Saturday, they began collecting glass and cardboard across Johannesburg’s East Rand — Germiston, Boksburg, Benoni, Edenvale, Kempton Park, and wherever they were needed. Armed with their small Hyundai i10, they filled it to the roof every week.
Their first load earned R50, but it confirmed that even the smallest beginning could grow into something meaningful.
With the help of a local vet and their small team — Monique (46) and Patrick (77), lovingly known as “G-Dad” — RAW has since recycled more than 750 tons of glass and 75 tons of cardboard. Every cent earned goes directly toward sterilisations, vaccinations, emergency treatment, and rehabilitation.
A Growing Need — And Why They’re Asking for Help for the First Time
Despite their enormous effort, recycling yields very little:
- 50c per kg of glass
- R1,20 per kg of cardboard
- 2–3 weeks of collecting = about R1,200
Animals continue arriving every week — frightened, abandoned, injured, or desperately ill — needing urgent veterinary care. RAW’s vet bill now exceeds R50,000, and their account is on hold.
For the first time since RAW began, Judy and John have launched a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign to help cover the growing gap between what recycling brings in and what the animals urgently need.
The campaign will help top up what they already earn through recycling, making sure the vet bill is covered even when emergencies arrive faster than the glass and cardboard can.
Campaign Link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/support-recycling-for-animal-welfare
This doesn’t replace their hard-earned efforts — they will still be out collecting after work and every Saturday, just as they’ve done for years.
The campaign simply gives their rescue work a little extra support, so no animal has to be turned away.
So far, almost R10 000, has been raised from 18 donors, a touching beginning — but far more support is needed to reopen their vet account and continue their rescue work.
In Paul’s Honour — RAW Launches Their Monthly Giving Campaign
The BackaBuddy campaign is dedicated to Paul — the brave little dog whose survival inspired RAW’s mission.
Through monthly supporters, Judy and John hope Paul’s legacy will continue helping other animals get the second chance he fought so hard for.
Call to Action: Help Keep Paul’s Legacy Alive
RAW is asking the public to stand with them in honour of the puppy who started everything.
You can help by:
- Making a once-off donation
- Becoming a monthly supporter — the most powerful way to ensure RAW never has to say “no” to an animal in crisis
“Every rand goes straight to the animals — their treatment, their healing, their safety,” Judy says. “We will never stop recycling. This campaign simply helps us bridge the gap so we can keep saving lives, just like we saved Paul.”
Support RAW here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/support-recycling-for-animal-welfare
by Zane Groenewald | Sep 10, 2025 | Campaign, Featured
Pictured above: Nickey Seger, Dave Spurgeon and Grant Clack.
Nickey Seger (52) from Roodekrans, Gauteng, is no stranger to standing by those she loves. But when her friend Dave Spurgeon (65) from Bryanston, Sandton, was diagnosed with throat cancer in July 2025, she knew she needed to do something extraordinary to help.
Within days of hearing the news, Nickey and her partner, Grant Clack (63), launched the Hope Powers Dave campaign on BackaBuddy. Their mission: to raise R500,000 so Dave can begin urgent chemotherapy and radiation. To inspire support, they committed to running 21.6 km every day for 30 consecutive days — totalling a staggering 650 km.
“When I heard Dave had throat cancer and no medical aid, my heart just sank. This is the reality for so many South Africans. I just felt the need to make a difference and help him in the best way I know how,” says Nickey.
A Friendship That Sparked Action
Nickey met Dave about 18 months ago at a friend’s birthday party, and in that short time, their bond has grown into a strong friendship. What struck her most was Dave’s humility and kindness. Despite his own hardships — including losing his medical aid when he was retrenched during Covid — Dave has always been generous and supportive of others.
“Dave is thoughtful, compassionate, and giving. He has often taken people under his wing, offering guidance, support, and encouragement,” says Dianne, his partner’s sister. “He has truly added value to those around him.”
For Nickey, standing on the sidelines wasn’t an option.
“I believe we are stronger together. Anyone can make a difference — and if my running can give Dave a fighting chance, then every step is worth it,” she says.
“Time is not on our side, which is why this campaign is so important,” explains Nickey. “The funds will go directly to covering Dave’s urgent medical needs and giving him a chance at recovery.”
Community of Care
For Nickey, this journey is about more than fundraising — it’s about proving the power of community. The campaign has drawn messages of encouragement from near and far, with friends describing Dave as fun-loving, dependable, and deeply devoted to his family.
“He’s been more than a friend — he’s family,” says Dick Roberts, who has known Dave for 30 years. “His humour, energy, and love for his daughters make him someone truly special.”
Nickey hopes their story will inspire others to get involved.
“Every donation, no matter the size, and every share of the campaign helps. Together, we can make sure Dave gets the treatment he urgently needs,” she says.
To support Dave visit his BackaBuddy campaign link here:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/hope-powers-dave
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by Zane Groenewald | Aug 11, 2025 | Campaign, Featured
Brandon Amronski, 62, is many things: a talented artist and photographer, a self-taught chef, a skilled potter, a gentle musician, a creative spirit, and above all — a loving dad. For the last few years, he’s poured everything he has into one dream: building a home of his own in Kommetjie, Cape Town.
With no contractor and no big budget, Brandon has been building his house — quite literally — with his own two hands. Brick by brick, alongside two faithful workers, he’s created a structure filled with hope, resilience, and heart. The project has taken over five years to materialise, as he first had to battle years of red tape just to gain approval to start construction. One year ago, he finally laid the first brick.
Brandon’s daughter, Luna, now 16, is the heart behind the BackaBuddy campaign trying to help him finish it. “I’m reaching out with a full heart and a shared dream — to help my beloved dad, Brandon, to finally finish the home he’s been building with his own two hands,” she says.
Brandon’s journey hasn’t been easy. At just 19, he fought in the war in Angola — an experience that left deep emotional scars compounded by his work as a press photographer from 1989-1998/9. More recently, he’s battled depression and PTSD while trying to recover from the devastating financial impact of COVID-19, which cost him much of his work and stability. Since then, he hasn’t been able to regain stable employment. The house became his anchor — a personal mission to create something lasting.
“This house means everything to him,” Luna shares. “It represents a place of safety, dignity, and a space where I can visit and sleep over — something we haven’t been able to do in years.”
Brandon currently lives in a small, one-bedroom cottage with no space for guests or family. His older daughter, who now lives in the Netherlands, has helped support him financially, but the budget has run out — and the house remains just shy of completion.
As Brandon’s 62nd birthday approaches on 25 July 2025, Luna hopes to give him the one thing he’s longed for: a finished home.
Instead of traditional birthday presents, Luna has set up a BackaBuddy campaign, inviting friends, family, and strangers alike to contribute toward specific costs still needed to complete the home:
- R2,200 – Garage Door
- R2,000 – Bathroom Tiling
- R2,500 – One Week of Labour Support
- R18,000 – Electrical Finishing
- R20,000 – Geyser Installation
“Every bit helps,” Luna says. “This is more than a house — it’s a chance for him to feel proud again, to have his space, and maybe even find the motivation to re-enter the world.”
With R10,478 already raised toward their R59,000 goal, the dream is within reach.
To support Brandon’s dream and help him move into his home at last, visit the campaign here:
👉 Help Brandon Finish Building His Dream Home: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-brandon-finish-building-his-dream-home
Timeline:
Matriculated 1981
1982-1983 SA military service
1984-1987 Ruth Prowse Fine Art
1987-1988 Winchester School of Art
1989-1998/9 Press photographer
Covid/lockdown resulted in commercial photography and magazine work drying up.
by Zane Groenewald | Jul 22, 2025 | Fundraising Tips, Tips
Read This First Time Crowdfunding Guide Before You Get Started
You’re almost ready to launch — but before you do, here’s what we’ve seen make all the difference:
- Campaigns with early support from family and friends raise up to 2X more funds.
- To build momentum, we recommend getting 3–5 donations from people you know shortly after launching — before sharing your campaign widely on social media.
Think of it like a dance floor — no one wants to be the first one on, but once a few familiar faces step up, others feel comfortable joining in. The same is true for your campaign.
Those first 3–5 donations from close friends or family are powerful. They show others that your campaign is real, supported, and deserving of support.
Early donors often include heartfelt messages that vouch for your character and story — helping build trust with potential donors who may not know you personally.
Seed donations don’t just get the ball rolling — they show that your target is achievable. They give your campaign momentum, credibility, and an emotional anchor for others to follow.
The fastest way to build early momentum is by reaching out personally.
Start by sending a short, sincere message to close friends and family via WhatsApp, Messenger, or Email. Let them know your campaign is active — and how much their early support would mean to you.
- Be clear and specific:
What are you raising funds for?
Why does it matter to you?
What difference will their support make?
Once you’ve received a few initial donations, you can post your campaign link to your WhatsApp Status, family groups, or community chats to grow your support circle.
Early messages set the tone. Personal connection creates trust. And trust leads to donations.
It’s tempting to post your campaign right away — but going public too soon can make it harder to gain traction.
Campaigns shared with a wide audience while still sitting on R0 often struggle to get support. Without early donations to build trust, even powerful stories can be overlooked.
Start with private messages. A few early donations give your campaign credibility and make it easier for others to follow.
A little patience upfront can make a big difference in the long run.
Once you’ve had your first donations, expand your reach to:
- Extended family, neighbours, co-workers
- Social media friends and followers
- School, university, church or community networks
- WhatsApp groups, local businesses, alumni communities
- Nonprofits, media, or influencers who align with your cause
Personalise your message, explain the impact their support will have, and invite them to donate or help share your campaign.
Helpful Resources
