by Tessa Van Rensberg | Aug 7, 2025 | Campaign, Featured
Kelby Parker (52) from West Rand – Gauteng is a husband, dad, mentor and off-road motorcycle enthusiast — a HUGE (for the people in the back, HUGE) KTM loyalist (KTM is an Austrian manufacturer famous for its off-road motor bikes and diehard fans) — whose life flipped in July when he was rushed to ICU for emergency surgery. What first looked like a prostate problem was in fact a ruptured colon abscess that triggered severe sepsis. He’s now facing Stage III colon cancer. The community he’s spent years lifting up is lifting him right back, so he can stay for the moments that matter: his daughter’s wedding, his son’s 18th, and his 30th anniversary with Fiona.
A love that began in primary school
Kelby and Fiona’s story reads like “The NoteBook 2” but with motorbikes. They met as kids in Alberton; he was a prefect, she was in Standard 3. Friendship deepened when Kelby worked at the local pool club, and when he left for the army, Fiona gifted him a chain engraved, “To Kelbs, Love Sis.”
On her 19th birthday, everything changed. “Something shifted that night,” Fiona recalls. “We spoke the whole evening, just the two of us… he kissed me over the wall — I fell hook, line and sinker.”
Ask around and you’ll hear the same about Kelby: he lights up a room and would “literally give you the shirt off his back.” He’s sponsored Moto-X riders, taken in children from unstable homes, hosted an exchange student, and — as daughter Kyla remembers — once drove through the night to Durban to support a colleague’s grieving family. “Dad’s got a really big heart,” she says simply.
The day everything changed
In January 2025, cramps sent Kelby to the GP — again and again. Blood tests suggested an enlarged prostate, and medication followed. When the symptoms wouldn’t clear, the urologist booked surgery for the earliest available date, 18 June. But recovery never came. “We held on for two weeks, hoping to see improvement, but it just didn’t happen,” Fiona says. They called the urologist on 30 June, got an MRI on 2 July, and by 3 July were urgently referred to a gastroenterologist. On 7 July, Kelby was admitted straight to ICU for an emergency, life-saving operation. Surgeons flushed his system and resectioned his bowels, leaving him with a colostomy bag — but they saved his life.
“Absolutely nothing,” Kelby says of what went through his mind before surgery. “I feel like I was completely numb… I truly believe my body was shutting down.”
He remembers the beeping machines, his hand instinctively reaching to his face to check for a ventilator, and “the absolute fear” on his family’s faces. For Fiona and the kids, the speed and severity of it all felt unreal: confusing, shocking, and terrifyingly fast.
Then came the final blow: pathology confirmed Stage III colon cancer. Chemotherapy lies ahead, likely delaying any colon reconstruction. How are they holding on?
“Belief! Where else do you turn in situations like this?” Kelby says. “We’re such a tight-knit family… and seeing everyone I’ve ever known reaching out to help not only me but my family too — it matters.”
When the helper needs help
On 10 July 2025, Fiona launched a BackaBuddy campaign to keep Kelby’s fight alive. Their OnePlan medical insurance covered R85,000 — exhausted on day one in ICU. Since then, the bills have kept rising, but so has the generosity: 74 donors have already contributed R268,100 toward the R380,000 target. Every rand will go directly to the family to settle hospital accounts and pay for Kelby’s ongoing treatment.
For Kelby, hope now has faces and names — and very real milestones. He wants to walk Kyla down the aisle, celebrate Troy-Lee’s 18th in January 2026, and toast 30 years of marriage with Fi in February.
“I just want to be able to hug my wife and kids again — a real tight hug,” he says. “I want to load up the bikes with Troy and Jordan and spend the day in the sun with friends and family… I’m optimistic, we will get there!”
Fiona says the support shown has flooded their home with hope:
“The support from angels across the world—from strangers to family, customers, suppliers, friends—has left us completely speechless. It really does restore your faith in humanity.”
To support Kelby Parker visit their BackaBuddy campaign link here:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/life-saving-procedure-for-kelby-parker
Please share his story — every donation, message, and share helps keep this devoted dad, husband and KTM superfan on the road to recovery.
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by Tessa Van Rensberg | Jul 30, 2025 | Campaign, Impact
A Long Road Back to His Feet
Carel’s latest challenge wasn’t just about physical fitness — it was about healing and giving thanks for the “second chance” he felt he’d received. In 2024, a devastating firestorm in Jamestown left him with a broken back and pelvis, forcing him to face the terrifying possibility of permanent immobility. For months, he had to learn how to walk again. Even walking 100 meters with crutches felt like a small victory.
During this time, the support from their community carried them through.
Marié recalls, “We were blown away… My children came home every day with a Woolies bag full of food. People took time to come visit, to speak with Carel. It reminded us how important it is not to live in your own bubble,” she said.
But slowly, day by day, strength returned.
“That’s when I realized — I think I’m getting stronger and better now… it felt so good just to be able to move again and have that freedom again,” Carel shared. With his mobility restored, he set his sights on something few have ever completed — the Extreme Triathlon.
Only around 15 people have ever achieved it. It involves three grueling events: running the Comrades Marathon, cycling the 2130km Freedom Challenge, and rowing the 240km Berg River Canoe Marathon — back-to-back. Carel had attempted it before in 2023, but this time was different.
“I realized that I have the ability and the mobility… I’ll be doing it out of gratefulness and just, you know, being in that position where you would be deprived of things — just to realise again how grateful you should be for the blessings you have,” Carel shared.
Carel, running the Comrades Marathon
The Meeting That Changed Everything
While Carel was taking on the Extreme Triathlon, Marié and Carel started thinking about how they could give back, inspired by his renewed ability to move and live fully. It was during the Freedom Challenge — that the Bothas reached out to find someone who needed help. Through a neighbour in Jamestown, they were introduced to Lizzie and her son, Requelmy, an 18-year-old who had been paralyzed since birth and had lived for years without a proper wheelchair.
Carel and family, after completing The Freedom Challenge
Moved by his story, Carel decided to dedicate the remainder of Carel’s epic journey to raising funds for a custom wheelchair for him.
Carel, having recently regained his own mobility, felt an immediate and deep connection to Requelmy’s struggle.
“It brought tears to his eyes… it was so sad for him that an 18-year-old guy is stuck in the situation where he has to wait years for a wheelchair,” Marié said. “He knows how it feels to not be able to move freely the way you want to… it was a perfect match.”
Powered by Gratitude, Fueled by Community
The couple launched a BackaBuddy campaign on 24 June 2025 with the goal of raising R18,000 to buy Requelmy a custom wheelchair. In the weeks that followed, 35 donors — a mix of family, friends, and generous strangers — helped them exceed their goal, raising R22,250.
The journey to that victory was not easy.
“My arms really started paining… I thought, I’m not gonna make it. I won’t be able to use my arms any further… it was a tough, dark time,” Carel remembers from the Berg River Canoe Marathon. “I had a little prayer when things were really hard… and moments after that, it seemed like things just became easier.”
Carel, after finishing the Berg River Canoe Marathon
Paying It Forward
Requelmy’s wheelchair has now been ordered — a life-changing gift, made possible by Carel’s endurance and the generosity of the community. But the Bothas aren’t stopping there. With an extra R3,000 still available, they’ve reopened the campaign to find their next mobility buddy who needs a wheelchair.
“We know it’s not us. We’re overwhelmed with the feedback… it’s just amazing what happened. It’s quite awesome,” Marié said.
They’ve already reconnected with their community to identify their next mobility buddy. Their hope? That this ripple of kindness continues — one wheelchair at a time.
“To everybody that donated — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You enabled this change for the Mobility Buddy. It’s just phenomenal.”
Carel’s story reminds us that even the most difficult moments can be turned into purpose. Through sheer grit, heartfelt gratitude, and the power of community, he turned his own trial into someone else’s triumph — and he’s just getting started.
Please consider sharing this story — because every share, every donation, and every kind word helps move someone closer to freedom, independence, and hope.
by Simbulele Jezile | Jul 25, 2025 | Campaign, Impact
A few days before her 7th birthday, Carley Rose Meyer from Benoni, Gauteng, went from being a happy, energetic little girl with what her mom thought was a common virus, to being rushed to ICU with dangerously high blood sugar levels.
On 2 July 2025, Carley was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Overnight, her world—and her family’s—changed.
Where there were once carefree days, there are now insulin injections, sugar checks, strict routines, and the weight of medical decisions far beyond a child’s years. But Carley faces each day with a resilience that has touched the hearts of many.
“Even when I wake her at midnight for insulin, she tells me, ‘Mommy, I’m okay,’” says her mom, Elisabeth Meyer. “She’s the bravest person I know.”
A Bond Like No Other
At home, Carley shares a deep and intuitive bond with her older brother Riley (9), who is autistic. While the world can feel overwhelming for Riley, Carley is his constant—his comfort.
“They have a love that doesn’t need words,” says Elisabeth. “When Carley was in hospital, Riley cried every day. She’s his person.”
As a single mom, Elisabeth is the steady force navigating both children’s unique needs. “It’s a lot,” she admits. “But they’re my everything.”
A Small Machine, A Big Difference
In her search for ways to ease their daily challenges, Elisabeth discovered the Aquazone Ozone H₂O Machine—a natural therapy believed to help regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and support neurological balance. She launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, hoping to raise R25,000.
To her surprise, the goal was reached in just two days.
“I thought the website was broken,” Elisabeth recalls. “Then my phone rang. My mom and sister were crying. We had done it. For the first time that week, I could breathe.”
More than R31,200 has now been raised by just seven donors—including one anonymous champion who gave the campaign its final push.
“To that person: you changed our lives,” says Elisabeth.
Finding Strength in Small Moments
Thanks to the generous support, Carley now uses the Aquazone therapy daily. While not a cure, the treatment offers a glimmer of relief—and hope. The family also believes it may help regulate Riley’s sensory and emotional responses.
“I just want them both to feel like kids again,” says Elisabeth. “To have more days filled with joy than pain.”
When asked why she wanted the machine, Carley simply said:
“Because it will help me feel better.”
For her mother, that was all she needed to hear.
On her seventh birthday, Carley was allowed one special treat—her first sweet bite since her diagnosis. “She savoured every bite of her cupcake,” says Elisabeth. “It was just a cupcake—but to us, it was everything.”
Riley sat beside her the whole time, smiling quietly.
Continuing the Journey
Although the original goal has been reached, the campaign remains open to help cover therapy for Riley, special dietary needs, and ongoing medical expenses for both children.
“With more support,” says Elisabeth, “we can give them what they need to thrive.”
This story has reminded many that compassion often comes from strangers—and that hope can arrive in the smallest of gestures.
In Carley’s words:
“Thank you for helping us. I want to be strong and happy again. I love my brother, and I want him to be okay too.”
And from Riley:
“Thank you for loving my sister. I love her too.”
Help Carley and Riley Continue to Thrive
Your kindness can make all the difference. Visit their BackaBuddy campaign to contribute or share their story:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/carleys-courage-a-story-of-hope-healing
by Tessa Van Rensberg | Jul 17, 2025 | Campaign, Featured
What is Mandela Day and How Can You Get Involved?
Mandela Day, held on July 18th each year, encourages individuals to spend 67 minutes doing something positive in their communities. This initiative honours Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of public service, calling on all of us to do our part—whether it’s planting trees, donating blood, feeding the hungry, or supporting a meaningful cause.
In the spirit of Mandela Day 2025, we’d like to share a few heartfelt initiatives hosted on the BackaBuddy crowdfunding platform. Supporting these campaigns is a great way to do your bit this Mandela Day.
From placing senior dachshunds with elderly companions to running 67 kilometres for mental health awareness or feeding hungry children over the weekend, each initiative contributes to real change.
Save a Frosty Face for Mandela Day 2025
Cape Dachshund Rescue (CDR) is raising R40,000 this Mandela Day to cover one month of veterinary bills for 92 senior dachshunds in its care. Operating across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Southern Cape, the organisation runs a Frosty Face Foster programme, which matches elderly dachshunds with people between the ages of 60 and 80. Adoption fees are waived, and vet costs are fully covered, allowing for lifelong companionship without financial burden.
Each donation—especially in multiples of R67—helps ensure these senior pets continue to receive the care and love they deserve.
The Chosen Runs: We See You Challenge
In Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, the team at Trulife is calling on the public to walk, run, or cycle 67 kilometres in July as part of the “We See You” Mandela Day Challenge. Their goal is to raise R6,700 per team to fund workshops and programmes that support learners navigating trauma, often without the tools or recognition they need.
So far, over R1,900 has been raised. Additional support will help expand Trulife’s reach, allowing them to provide critical life skills and mental health education across South Africa.
Hope & Hunger: Feed the Children of Promiseland
In the informal settlement of Promiseland in Palmridge, Gauteng, 47-year-old cleaner Nonkululeko “Nonny” Mda spends her weekends feeding up to 100 hungry children through her grassroots initiative, Ikhaya Lethu (Our Home). She started this mission in 2018 after witnessing the hardship children face when school meals aren’t available on weekends.
“Weekends are the hardest for children who rely on school meals. I can’t sit back and do nothing,” says Nonny. “I use my own income and rely on donations, even if it means I go without.”
Her campaign has already raised over R25,000 of its R60,000 goal, but continued support is essential to keep these children nourished every weekend.
Mandela Day: Little Brains Deserve Big Futures
In Bellville in the Western Cape, a team of MBA students from Stellenbosch University has launched a campaign in partnership with Goldilocks and the Bear, a nonprofit that provides free mental health screenings and early intervention for children in underserved areas.
“R670 covers the full journey for one child—screening, counselling, and referrals,” the students explain. “Mental health support should never be a luxury.”
Their goal is to raise R67,000 this Mandela Day so that more children can access the mental health care they need to thrive.
Start Your Own Mandela Day Campaign
Have a cause close to your heart? You can start your own Mandela Day campaign on BackaBuddy and turn your passion into impact. Whether it’s a local clean-up, school supply drive, or a bigger community project, your 67 minutes can ripple far beyond the day itself.
Start here: Sign up to make a difference | BackaBuddy
by Zane Groenewald | Jul 8, 2025 | Fundraising Tips, Tips
Launching a crowdfunding campaign can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
This 14-day guideline is not a checklist or a rulebook. It’s a practical, compassionate roadmap built from what we’ve seen work best across thousands of successful BackaBuddy campaigns.
Each day offers one simple, doable action to help you build momentum, grow your reach, and deepen connection with your supporters — all in a way that feels authentic to you. Whether your cause is personal, joyful, or rooted in something more difficult, we’re here to help you share your story with confidence.
Use what feels right, skip what doesn’t, and come back to it anytime you need support.
Day 0: Let’s Get Your Campaign Ready to Succeed
Before sharing your campaign, here’s how to set yourself up for success:
- Write a clear, heartfelt story (200–500 words):
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- Who you’re fundraising for
- What the funds are for
- Where this is happening
- Why now
- What donations will cover
- End with a thank you and a call to action
Add 3–5 high-quality, friendly images
- Optional: Film a short 30–60 second video introducing yourself and your cause
- Set a realistic, specific goal (e.g. R2,000 for school fees or R5,000 for medical transport)
- Enable thank-you messages
- Wait to verify — we’ll do that after a few donations
Read our guide: ’10 Elements for Writing a Great Backabuddy Crowdfunding Story’
Campaigns with strong stories, clear visuals, and a video raise up to 4x more.
Day 1: Start With Seed Support
Before going public, message 5–10 close friends or family privately via WhatsApp, Messenger or Email.
Suggested message:
“Hi [Name], I’ve just launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to help with [brief description – e.g. my mom’s surgery or school fees.
Before I share it more widely, I wanted to ask if you’d consider being one of the first to support it — even a small donation or a quick share would mean a lot.
Here’s the link: [insert link]“
Campaigns with early support raise up to 2x more.
Day 2: Share on WhatsApp Status and Small Groups
Once you’ve received 3–5 donations, it’s time to share a little wider.
- Post to your WhatsApp Status
- Share in family, school, or neighbourhood groups
Suggested message for groups:
“We’ve just launched our BackaBuddy campaign to help with [brief cause].
Thank you to everyone who’s already helped. If you’d like to support or share, here’s the link: [insert link]”
Suggested WhatsApp Status:
“Raising funds for [short cause]. Please support or share [insert link]”
How to post a WhatsApp Status:
1.Open WhatsApp
2.Tap Status
3.Tap the Pencil icon to write your message
4.Paste your link
5.Tap the spacebar after your link (this shows the preview)
6.Tap Send
Read our guide: “Promoting your crowdfunding campaign on WhatsApp”
Tip: Refresh your status every few days with thank-you updates or new progress.
Day 3: Reach Out to Your Wider Network
Think of people outside your close circle who would still care:
-
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- Extended family
- Old classmates or teachers
- Former or current colleagues
- Church or community groups
Send a brief, warm message with your campaign link. A personal approach goes a long way.
Day 4: Post Publicly on Social Media
You’re ready to post more broadly.
Tips:
- Write a friendly caption (2–3 lines)
- Add a photo or video
- Include the donation link or say “link in bio”
Example Facebook post (150–200 words):
“We’ve launched a BackaBuddy campaign to support [Name], our [relationship if applicable – e.g. daughter or friend].
So far, we’ve raised R[amount] of our R[goal] — and we are so grateful.
Donations will help cover [short impact – e.g. physio or school fees].
Please support or share if you can.
[Insert link]
Instagram post example:
“We’ve launched a campaign to help [Name] with [brief cause].
R[amount] raised so far of our R[goal].
Every bit helps.
Link in bio.”
Tip: Pin your post to your profile and tag people who’ve supported you.
Read our guide: 7 Effective Ways to Promote Your Crowdfunding Campaign and Get Donations”
Day 5: Ask for Social Media Champions
Ask 2–3 friends or early donors to reshare your post with a personal note.
Suggested message:
“Hi [Name], thanks again for your support.
Would you mind resharing the post I shared about the campaign, and maybe adding a few words about how you know me or why you chose to support?
Here’s the link to the post: [post link]
Campaign link: [BackaBuddy link]”
Example caption they can use:
“I’m resharing this post from [Your Name].
They’re raising funds for [cause] and I’ve already donated.
If their story moves you, please donate or share: [insert link]”
Also do this:
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- Go to your campaign page > Manage Campaign > Edit
- Add the link to your original social media post so others can find and reshare it
- Tag and thank supporters when they reshare
Day 6: Film a Quick Campaign Video (If You Haven’t Yet)
A 30–60 second video filmed on your phone can boost donations up to 4x.
What to say:
-
- Introduce yourself
- Share what’s happening
- Say why help is needed now
- End with: “If you can support or share, we’d be grateful”
Use the video on:
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- Your campaign page
- WhatsApp Status
- Social media
- Email to [email protected] (for help sharing with donors)
Day 7: Start Verification
Once you have a few donations:
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- Log into your dashboard
- Upload your ID and banking details (secure and confidential)
- Verification builds trust and allows payout
If anything is unclear, your campaign manager is here to help.
Day 8: Share in Groups or Forums
Expand your reach by sharing in:
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- Local Facebook or community groups
- WhatsApp chats with neighbours or teams
- Forums or cause-based spaces
Include a short, genuine message — don’t just post a link.
Day 9: Share a Story or Video Update
Post a quick thank-you or progress update to keep your story visible.
Suggested caption:
“We’ve raised R[amount] so far — thank you.
This campaign is for [Name], who is [short story].
We’re close to our goal of R[target].
If you’d like to support or share: [link]”
How to post a link in Instagram Stories:
1.Tap Stories
2.Select a photo/video
3.Tap the Sticker icon
4.Choose the Link sticker
5.Paste the link and customise text
6.Post
Day 10: Celebrate a Milestone
Whether you’ve raised R1,000 or more, thank your supporters.
Suggested caption:
“Thanks to over [donor count] people, we’ve raised R[amount] of R[goal].
This has already helped us [impact so far].
[Name] is [brief description].
This support has [e.g. lifted a huge weight].
Thank you.
If you’d like to support or share, here’s the link: [BackaBuddy link]”
Day 11: Share Again (With a New Angle)
Most people need reminders. Share again with a fresh approach:
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- Use a different photo
- Add a short update
- Include a quote or story
- Mention how support is helping
Day 12: Follow Up Personally
Message people who:
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- Said they’d donate
- Reacted but didn’t click
- Helped in past campaigns
Use a gentle reminder:
“Hi [Name], just checking in — no pressure, but if you’d still like to support or share, here’s the link.”
Day 13: Share Your Story with the Media (Optional)
If your campaign has 20+ donations and a strong story, you can explore media coverage.
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- Write a short press release
- Include 1–2 photos and a quote
- Submit to platforms like MyPR or Pressportal
- You can also contact local journalists
Read our guide: “How to Share Your Crowdfunding Campaign in the Media”
Day 14: Donor Update (Sent by BackaBuddy)
Let your donors know how it’s going.
Email [email protected] with:
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- 2–3 short sentences about progress
- What the support has meant
- A photo (optional)
We’ll send the update on your behalf. Donor updates keep supporters engaged and help build long-term trust.
There’s no perfect way to run a campaign. What matters is showing up, sharing honestly, and staying connected. The BackaBuddy team is here to help you every step of the way — from setting up your campaign to reaching new audiences.
If you ever feel stuck or unsure, reach out. You’re not alone — and you’ve got this. Get your questions answered by our friendly support team, Contact Us.
