The Great Optimist Race in conjunction with Boatica is back!
Following a two-year break as a result of the global pandemic, the Little Optimist Trust is delighted to announce that the event will once again take place at Cape Town’s annual Boat Show, Boatica, on Saturday the 29th of October.
Pictured above: Greg Bertish
This year will see 15 hand-picked elite little optimist dinghies race for glory.
They will be sailed by celebrities, captains of industry and medical survivors Cape Talk’s Pippa Hudson and Adventurer Riaan Manser will be leading the celebrities, with two time winner and shark encounter survivor Caleb Swanepoel back in his Two Oceans Marine Boat.
Other contenders include double lung transplant survivor Tanya Bothma , stroke survivor Hilton Swanson and CEO Gareth Leck. Others who will be returning to the start line include big wave surfer Matt Bromley.
Little Optimist Trust Founder Greg Bertish will again be a favourite and says, “This year is going to be fast and furious and all in the name of raising funds for the Little Optimist trust and other charities“.
Picture: Grant Scholtz
Not only will the race serve as one of the highlights on Boatica’s calendar, but funds raised will be poured back into the ongoing sailing therapy offered by the Little Optimist Trust’s sailing academy at Battery Park.
The academy teaches sailing skills to disadvantaged, sick and marginalised children, giving them much-needed confidence and joy.
Members of the public are invited to bring family and friends, young and old, to the Academy’s sailing clinic at Boatica. They will be offering a sailing experience and lessons on 28, 29 and 30 October, in conjunction with South African Sailing.
To sponsor or back a boat for the race for charity donate here:
Combined the sailing champions have raised R65 000 towards their collective fundraising target of R380 000 on BackaBuddy with the support of 59 donors.
Picture: The Little Optimist
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R360 Million.
Souper Troopers, a Cape Town-based homeless advocacy and support non-profit organisation, was able to create 25 jobs this year for homeless individuals, many of whom have substance abuse issues.
This was made possible with much-needed funding from the City of Cape Town through Khulisa Social Services, which has been put on hold due to unforeseen internal circumstances at the City.
“Our ‘Souper Squad’ has been hard at work, over the past 10 months, beautifying public spaces in under-resourced communities byplanting, painting, growing, clearing, decorating,” says Kerry Hoffman, Executive Director of Souper Troopers. “While working individually and as a group, the workers have also focused on personal development, recovery from addiction, life skills and creative pursuits, with the help of Souper Troopers’ dynamic fieldwork team.”
Image: Souper Troopers
To keep the program, which has been a roaring success, alive Souper Troopers has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to fill their funding gap until they receive their renewal funding later this year.
“Without support, I fear all the progress our workers have made will be undone, their steps to find accommodation will be derailed, they will struggle to stay off of their substances they were dependent upon and reconciliation with their families will be halted,” says Hoffman.
Image: Souper Troopers
The program costs about R100 000pm to run smoothly over the anticipated two-month gap in funding. Thus far almost R50 000 has been raised (through kind contributions on BackaBuddy), which will be used to cover the psychosocial developmental services needed to help the workers continue on their paths towards independence and their wages.
The program has impacted so many lives:
25 of the workers have opened bank accounts and have ID documents
25 of the workers are able to send money home to their families every month.
25 of the workers have achieved the goals they have set for themself.
22 of the workers are now clean and are no longer using the substances they were addicted to.
20 of the workers no longer live on the streets of Cape Town.
8 of the workers have managed to save for their future.
Image: Souper Troopers
In their own words:
“Before joining the Souper Squad, I lived on the streets, and my life was about crime and drugs. I spent my life in and out of jail. I was tired of that life. Working for Souper Troopers has changed my life: I don’t do drugs anymore, I don’t live on the streets, and I think positive thoughts. I am scared that I will fall, go to jail, do the crime again, and that’s the life I don’t want to go back to again.” Jonathan
“Souper Troopers helped me when I was retrenched. I was in a bad state, stressed out. Being part of the Souper Squad has helped me become more open; it has been a restoration for me because I have managed to feel alive again, be positive, and look forward to bigger and better things. My biggest fear is returning to the streets again and not having someplace to call home.”Christopher
“At Souper Troopers, these people are not like people who only come to work; they are there for everything for help, in every department. The way they use their words, the word ‘family’. This is beautiful. For me, I can say I am a success. Not from my old life. I’m talking about the period from when I started here until now. That period is the success.” Kaya
*All donors are eligible for a Section 18a tax certificate issued by the Souper Troopers
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R360 Million.
Globally, a staggering 800,000 suicides occur every year. In South Africa, a person commits suicide every 40 minutes.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month which takes place every October, Franck, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to raise enough funds to make professional mental health services available to 10,000 people in South Africa who do not have access to treatment.
“70% of the global population have access to a mobile phone, only 47% have access to running water. Utilizing mobile phones and digital innovation is the surest way to address the Mental Health crisis and intervene effectively for change.” – Eidde Francke, CEO – GetFranck
Through digital innovation, Franck is able to offer instant and always-on emergency assistance to people in Mental Health Crisis, offer self-help tools to guide them through Mental Health challenges, and connect them with a countrywide network of Mental Health Practitioners for both online and in-person consultation.
Franck also offers a next-generation Artificial Intelligence Mental Health Chatbot that can find and guide individuals in natural text exchanges on their Mental Health help journey, regardless of the mental or emotional space they are in.
How you can help
By donating R299 to the “Hey, I’m here” campaign on BackaBuddy, you can give a single person access to mental health assistance and companionship for an entire year.
Franck has partnered with Lovestruck Philanthropy NPC to distribute the Franck Apps with a formal sign-up or nomination process to individuals, organizations and communities facing Mental Health difficulties. The Franck App and its Mental Health infrastructure and assistance is available and active instantly.
“Mental health, ÍS health. If it is not you, it is someone you know. You or they may not know what to do – Franck knows. Let Franck help those you can’t help.” – Eidde Francke, CEO – GetFranck
Since the launch of the BackaBuddycampaign, more than R16 000 has been raised thus far with kind contributions from 11 donors, which means 53 individuals can already access the platform.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R350 Million.
On 22 October 2022, Nickey Seger (49), Owner of Curves Strubensvalley, her partner Grant Clack (60), and Leilani Kuter (48), Founder of Gender-based violence organisation, Yellow For Survivors, will be shaving their hair in support of the fight against breast cancer.
With a crowdfunding campaign launched on BackaBuddy, the trio hope to raise R50 000 to support Reach for Recovery (RFR), an autonomous non-profit organisation launched in the 1960s, that focuses on breast cancer support nationwide.
“Our organisation is built on a simple yet universal principle: that of one woman who has experienced breast cancer giving freely of her time and experience to assist and support another woman with breast cancer. Well-selected and trained volunteers, who each have experienced the breast cancer journey, render emotional care and practical support programmes to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and their families. ” – states their website.
Since the launch of the campaign, more than R4500 has been raised towards their target, which will be used to purchase prosthetics for ladies who have undergone a mastectomy, as well as specialised bras which hold the prosthesis in place.
“Every donation of R1000 will provide one lady who can’t afford this service with a prosthetic breast through Reach for Recovery, and help them regain their dignity and confidence after their harrowing battles with cancer.” – says Nickey
On how they feel about losing their hair, Leilani says:
“Shaving our hair is a small sacrifice that we hope will have a great impact. As a woman I can’t imagine the pain of losing my breasts, not for society, or the male gaze, but because they are so significant to my identity. I hope the public will support our campaign.” – says Leilani
Any Donations made to this campaign, are eligible for a Section 18A Certificate, issued by Reach for Recovery.
Champion crowdfunders
Since 2019, Leilani Kuter from Roodepoort, has raised over R380 000 on BackaBuddy, in the fight against gender-based violence, through dedicated walks totalling more than 3000 km.
In 2021, Nickey Seger from Roodekrans, ran a total distance of 295.4km, along with her partner, Grant Clack, to honour a decade-long promise to put a young girl through her final year of school. The extraordinary campaign raised over R 136 000 on BackaBuddy.
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R350 Million.
Cassie Booyse (66), better known as Vernon Koekemoer or ‘SA’s Chuck Norris’, became an instant celebrity in 2008 after a photograph of him at a H2O Party went viral.
Currently, Vernon, who lives in Boksburg, Johannesburg, is fighting for his life, following three failed hip operations at Tambo Memorial Hospital. His fiance, Linda, says the only thing that can save him is a miracle.
Vernon’s health struggles began in 2018, when he began experiencing pain in his right hip due to advanced arthritis. Without medical aid, Vernon was booked for hip replacement surgery at Tambo Memorial Hospital in January 2019.
In the space of 5 years Vernon has undergone 3 failed hip surgeries
The operation seemed to have been successful at first. Vernon was advised to attend physiotherapy to exercise his hip to build muscle strength, but he struggled through the sessions, experienced more pain than before the operation and was unable to walk without crutches.
Months passed and Vernon returned to his surgeon, who agreed to perform a total hip replacement in February 2020. After the procedure, the surgeon discovered that the steel pin used initially was the incorrect size.
“After the total hip replacement revision, when the drain pipes were removed, the wound did not heal and was continuously draining. We returned to the surgeon to discuss the outcome many times but were dismissed” – says Linda
Vernon with his wife, Linda
After Vernon’s second hip operation, his teeth began falling out and he complained of severe pain. Again, Vernon’s wound was infected. To make matters worse, Linda pulled a 30cm string out of Vernon’s wound that was left in after the procedure.
When the drainage of the wound got worse and resulted in additional pain, Vernon demanded a third procedure which took place in February 2022.
“Since day one after the surgery, he could not walk without crutches. Now his hip is full of infection, the steel pin used during the hip replacement is loose and causes extreme pain whenever Vernon moves” – says Linda
Linda says that Vernon has suffered avoidable pain, suffering and trauma over the last 5 years, which has kept him from living a full life and earning an income.
Fighting to stay alive
On Friday 16 September 2022, Linda called the ambulance to take Vernon back to Tambo Memorial Hospital, as Vernon could not take the pain of the infection anymore.
Vernon is currently bed ridden, fighting for his life, and in such immense pain that Linda says he’s contemplated taking his own life.
Picture above: Vermon
Support for Vernon
To help Vernon get back on his feet Good Morning Angels has been in contact with a specialist in hip replacement surgery and complications in Pretoria.
Hoping to determine an appropriate treatment plan, they have agreed to cover the cost of the consultation and the necessary tests.
Upon seeing Vernon’s story, H2O Party, have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, appealing to the public to assist Vernon with his medical costs, as well as the comprehensive after care he will need.
Since the launch of the crowdfunding campaign over R100 000 has been raised towards their fundraising target of R100 000.
“We just wanted to say thank you to all of our donors for their care, motivation and financial support. Your contributions mean a lot to us . This will help Cassie get well and healthy again. Thank you for your assistance during this extremely difficult time in our lives. It is greatly appreciated.” – says Linda
There has been a slight improvement in Vernon Koekemoer’s condition following yet another hip operation on October 17. Koekemoer’s life partner, Linda Coetzee, said he was transferred from Tambo Memorial to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital on October 12 to go under the knife again.
“It was a long operation. They pushed him into the theatre at 22:45 and he came out at 03:00. It looks like it went well. He is doing a little bit better but is still in pain.
“The doctors cleaned his hip. They also put a spacer in his hip. It is a prosthesis and the antibiotics will help fight bacteria left behind,” she explained.
Coetzee said that Koekemoer will have to undergo the same process if the infection has not cleared up. – Tayla Smit fromLetaba Herald
“Apart from our BackaBuddy campaign, Vernon has been supported by a number of donors who have contributed towards our medical and living expenses:
Nando’s has donated R87 000,
Jacaranda FM (Good Morning Angels) has donated R30 000,
H20 donated R20 000,
A family from the Netherlands has donated R15 000
R1500 has been donated from people who have called in” – says Linda
Create a crowdfunding campaign
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R340 Million.
