KAROO TO COAST CYCLE RACE 2017
Once again, our participation in the Karoo to Coast fundraiser was a great success. We had a fun day and would like to thank all our willing volunteers and the community for all their support
KAROO TO COAST CYCLE RACE 2016
KAROO TO COAST CYCLE RACE - 2015
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It was once again a glorious day for cyclists from around the country as they set out from Uniondale to ride the demanding 100 km course to Knysna. And, while they were racing in the biggest mountain bike race in the country, the HERO team and cheerful, willing volunteers were preparing to make and sell 500 hamburgers. It was a race against time to have everything ready to meet the hungry demand we knew was coming but this “quick, slick and electric” team were ready on time.
To the Lions Club (Knysna) for the opportunity to raise much needed funds for HERO, we are deeply grateful. And to our ever-generous sponsors and donors (in no particular order): Robberg Seafood (Plett); Wittedrift Butchery (Plett); Superspar (Knysna); Events & Tents (Plett); East End Kwikspar (Knysna); Fruit & Veg City (Knysna); Plett Christian School; St Peter’s Anglican Church (Plett) - we can only say a heartfelt “Thank You” for your significant contributions. The many role players who collectively ensured the success of this year’s ‘K to C’ fundraiser will allow us to reach many more traumatised children in sub-economic communities and it is impossible to put a value on such generosity of spirit.
Our Spririted Team
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MAD HATTER'S TEA PARTY - LEISURE ISLE COFFEE SHOP - 27th APRIL 2015
Nadine and her hard-working team (Leisure Isle Coffee Shop)
Resolved to make it an amazing fundraiser, a small - but highly motivated - team planned and prepared and sewed and negotiated and generally poured heart and soul into the event. Two newcomers to HERO’s fundraising effort s- Loretta and Kelly - set to with a will and pulled out all the stops to sell tickets and plan entertainment for the children.
Then there was the HERO core team: Lynn Stoker (play therapist) who organised the venue set up and her incredibly supportive husband, Andy, who offers storage and transport and real manpower; Caz Hoare, (secretary, counsellor, fundraiser, webmaster and anything else you can imagine), who was on site on time and who worked like a Trojan to help assemble (and later, and dismantle) the venue; Guin Bell, Bookkeeper and gatekeeper; Victoria Makaleni, present and correct at front of house and a willing pair of hands in the kitchen
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MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY - 27th APRIL 2015
Freedom Day. Where ‘freedom’ means different things to different people, HERO’s focus on this day was to raise funds so that we can bring emotional freedom to traumatised children in sub-economic townships.
Martin, our chef extraordinaire, spent about 15 hours shopping and preparing and baking and planning the final arrangements. His ‘Mom’, Angela Teodosia, also put in many hours to add to the load of goodies destined for those who so generously bought tickets.
In Plett: Karen at Robberg Fine Foods for incredibly generous ‘goodies’ for the table; Clare’s Cakes (Plett) for her regionally-famous cup cakes; George at Melville’s Spar, who seems always available in an emergency and added to the food fund; Old Nick Café for helping Loretta with her Mad Hatter outfit. In Knysna: Lapland, for the amazing Mad Hatter’s hat; Charlene at Cakes and Catering, for the incredibly artistic ‘show cake’; Kelly and Scott Picken for the valuable raffle prizes and ongoing input.
Added to the mix were York High School community outreach participants, Justin Stoker and Devon Grey, both of whom willingly manhandled ladders and wielded hammers for a great cause. With them came Douggie Cook, Robert Conradie and Olivia Court - all youngsters with an admirable and encouraging social conscience.
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Bluebird of happiness
Caz & Loretta (aka Mad Hatter)
Our sponsors and donors for the day left us in awe at the wonderful community spirit to be found in Knysna and Plett’s business communities and we thank them - deeply and sincerely:
Nadine at the Leisure Isle Coffee Shop opened on a public holiday to accommodate us and sponsored the prize for the best hat.and Catering, for the incredibly artistic ‘show cake’; Kelly and Scott Picken for the valuable raffle prizes and ongoing input.
Without those who bought tickets and entered the raffle, this would have been a non-event and we are grateful to each one of them - not only for the support, but also for entering into the spirit of the theme. Hats off to you all!
Gratefully, Christine Mason Chair |
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MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY - WOODMILL LANE - 29th MARCH 2014
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The weather was perfect and Melanie (Woodmill Lane management) had put together a tea party of note. She arranged some wonderful entertainment to keep the kids occupied - stilt walking, juggling, cycling, giant bubbles and a magician who had the adults even more enthralled than the children!
Participating shops Savannah, Chaplin’s and Giggles were generous in their participation and the amazing prizes for the best hats and colouring in were sponsored by Villa Castollini, Adventure Land, Chaplins and Savannah.
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Peter the Greek’s live music helped to put smiles on family faces and the kids had a ball with the colouring-in competition. We are deeply grateful to Melanie and the Woodmill Lane (Knysna) Management Team for their whole-hearted support.
As always, the outstanding success of the event was possible only because of the incredible effort put in by HERO’s fundraising team: Irene Wright (concept, artwork, baker and sheer hard grinder!) and her husband Ken, who brings willing hands and a big smile to every occasion; Annette Bezuidenhout, who has poured to much effort and energy into HERO; Lynn Stoker (our Play Therapist who doubles-up as a fundraiser and in any other role which may come up) and her husband, Andy, who gives so much of himself and his time to support our cause; Guin Bell (our Bookkeeper, whose significant support is so greatly valued); Carole Hoare (our rocket-powered Secretary, Counsellor and Administrator and whose ever-cheerful help makes all the difference in the myriad tasks to be done at a fundraiser).
The children we help will never know who made it possible for them to recover from their trauma and to have the opportunity to grow into emotionally-healthy adults. But we know. And we thank you for so generously weighing in to make a difference.
Guin Bell - HERO's accountant
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PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
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Our screening of this film at Ffiago’s in Knysna did full justice to the 25th anniversary of the release of the original production.
Our star fundraiser, Irene Wright, conceived the idea last year and has since been collecting the bits and pieces which matched the picture she carried in her head. And, in a triumph of creativity and artistic talent, supported by a host of background people, the end result was a worthy match for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s genius. The film was screened on Valentine’s Day and on Saturday, 15th February and all agreed that this fundraiser, which included cheese, wine and snacks, was an outstanding success (check out the photos below as well.) |
Irene Wright - Phantom Mastermind
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But none of this would have been possible without the incredible support from Knysna’s business community and a myriad people working behind the scenes:
Once again, our deepest gratitude must go to Lothe and Adele of Ffiagos. They and their staff worked tirelessly to make sure that the venue was the best it could possibly be and it is difficult to find the words to express our thanks for their constant support and encouragement. |
Ffiago's Adele
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Ffiago's Lothe
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 Alida from Bonnievale Wines
Likewise, Alida from Bonnievale Wines not only donated the wine - she organised the ice and glasses from Liquor City and then gave up her Friday evening to be on hand to fill the glasses.
Our catering team did an incredible job and feedback was that it was a superb spread of cheese and snacks to please the most discerning palate. Our endless gratitude to Andre, Amanda and Delmarie for giving up both weekend nights to support the children we serve. |
Catering team left to right - Delmarie, Abdre, Amanda
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We could not have created the mood and ambience of Ffiago’s charming venue without seriously generous donations from Fruit and Veg City, Kwik Spar, Super Spar, Pick ‘n Pay, Lancewood Dairies, and Leeuwenbosch. To the management of these compassionate organisations, we offer our gratitude, along with the assurance that we did them proud as well!
To Knysna Electronics, on whom the entire evening rested - what do we say for the hours of setting up the loaned technology without even blinking at the commercial cost? And, to Andy Stoker, who stepped in at the last minute to operate unfamiliar equipment, huge and grateful hugs and kisses! |
Andy Stoker
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Sign Right added to the creative energy and created a poster for the décor which would have looked superb in London’s West End!
Dear Russell of Musica, donated cd’s (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Premier Collection) as prizes for lucky ticket holders on both nights.
Suppose we organised a function and nobody came? One of the most difficult aspects of fundraising is ticket sales and to those unique people who stepped up to this particular challenge we can only say that the results were well worth their efforts. Thank you - Ruth Renwick (Knysna Potters), Nadine (Leisure Isle Coffee Shop), and Ffiago’s - those who bought the tickets were glad they did.
Closer to home, the HERO TEAM and their nearest and dearest did what they always do - before, during and after the event they pulled together in a seamless support system which covered every aspect until the last people had contentedly gone home:
Mandy and Hayley (in KZN) sourced the masks and couriered them down to us. Irene Wright, Lynn Stoker (professional Play Therapist), Caz (Secretary and Counsellor), Annette Bezuidenhout (fundraising and creative support) and Ken Wright (driver, trouble-shooter and humourist) sacrifice so much of their time, knowledge, skills, talents, gifts, petrol, air time and energy for communities which will never know how much they have given for the love of the many children who so badly need emotional help and support.
Perhaps our by-line says it all: “…..because every hurt child needs a HERO!”
Dear Russell of Musica, donated cd’s (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Premier Collection) as prizes for lucky ticket holders on both nights.
Suppose we organised a function and nobody came? One of the most difficult aspects of fundraising is ticket sales and to those unique people who stepped up to this particular challenge we can only say that the results were well worth their efforts. Thank you - Ruth Renwick (Knysna Potters), Nadine (Leisure Isle Coffee Shop), and Ffiago’s - those who bought the tickets were glad they did.
Closer to home, the HERO TEAM and their nearest and dearest did what they always do - before, during and after the event they pulled together in a seamless support system which covered every aspect until the last people had contentedly gone home:
Mandy and Hayley (in KZN) sourced the masks and couriered them down to us. Irene Wright, Lynn Stoker (professional Play Therapist), Caz (Secretary and Counsellor), Annette Bezuidenhout (fundraising and creative support) and Ken Wright (driver, trouble-shooter and humourist) sacrifice so much of their time, knowledge, skills, talents, gifts, petrol, air time and energy for communities which will never know how much they have given for the love of the many children who so badly need emotional help and support.
Perhaps our by-line says it all: “…..because every hurt child needs a HERO!”
HERO Team back Annette Bezuidenhout, centre Irene Wright, right Lynn Stoker, left Christine Mason
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HERO's Caz - Secretary and Counsellor
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Ken Wright
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Mad Hatters Tea Party
Our closing fundraiser for the year was the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Nadine at Knysna’s Leisure Isle Coffee Shop generously opened her doors to us and our supporters arrived with their own Mad Hats and an incredibly generous spirit of giving.
HERO’s superb creative team, Irene and Annette, worked for weeks with a support team and the décor was amusing. Enchanting. Fun.
Leslie Clinton, confectioner extraordinaire, had already donated a 5+ kg Christmas cake for our raffle but she, too, was swept along in the creative current and arrived on the day with a Mad Hatter cake of note! Leslie also created the ‘Hatter’ table centre pieces, estimating that she had cut out over 300 pieces of cardboard in the weeks leading up to the event.
As always, Knysna’s incredible generosity shone clear and bright and there are not enough words to thank Nadine for the venue, the food donations and the gift voucher for the best hat. Leisure Isle Antiques handed over a most charming, Christmas-themed teapot to be auctioned; Fruit & Veg City, Heavenly Delights and Ouma’s Pantry each donated sweet and savoury treats for the guests. In an outstanding outreach from community to community, Clare’s Cakes in Plettenberg Bay sent along 80 magnificent cup cakes to help the cause of traumatised children in Knysna.
To the HERO TEAM: Irene Wright, Annette Bezuidenhout, Lynn Stoker, Caz Hoare - and especially to Ken Wright, Andy Stoker, Sonja Barnard, Lucy, Candice and Angela - CONGRATULATIONS! It was hard work, but when guests start saying that this should be an annual event, you should know that your work produced incomparable results. On behalf of the children in the sub-economic areas in Knysna, my heartfelt thanks.
May you all enjoy a good rest from your labours, have a blesséd Christmas and celebrate the New Year in the knowledge of a job so very, very well done!
Christine Mason
Chairman
HERO’s superb creative team, Irene and Annette, worked for weeks with a support team and the décor was amusing. Enchanting. Fun.
Leslie Clinton, confectioner extraordinaire, had already donated a 5+ kg Christmas cake for our raffle but she, too, was swept along in the creative current and arrived on the day with a Mad Hatter cake of note! Leslie also created the ‘Hatter’ table centre pieces, estimating that she had cut out over 300 pieces of cardboard in the weeks leading up to the event.
As always, Knysna’s incredible generosity shone clear and bright and there are not enough words to thank Nadine for the venue, the food donations and the gift voucher for the best hat. Leisure Isle Antiques handed over a most charming, Christmas-themed teapot to be auctioned; Fruit & Veg City, Heavenly Delights and Ouma’s Pantry each donated sweet and savoury treats for the guests. In an outstanding outreach from community to community, Clare’s Cakes in Plettenberg Bay sent along 80 magnificent cup cakes to help the cause of traumatised children in Knysna.
To the HERO TEAM: Irene Wright, Annette Bezuidenhout, Lynn Stoker, Caz Hoare - and especially to Ken Wright, Andy Stoker, Sonja Barnard, Lucy, Candice and Angela - CONGRATULATIONS! It was hard work, but when guests start saying that this should be an annual event, you should know that your work produced incomparable results. On behalf of the children in the sub-economic areas in Knysna, my heartfelt thanks.
May you all enjoy a good rest from your labours, have a blesséd Christmas and celebrate the New Year in the knowledge of a job so very, very well done!
Christine Mason
Chairman
Sanlam Awards
Athena's Farewell
Back l-r: Kevin Turner, Athena Richmond, Agnes Grootboom, Annette Bezuidenhout, Irene Wright
Front l-r: Guin Bell, Lynn Stoker, Christine Mason, Carole Hoare, Victoria Makeleni
Seated front: Ken Wright
Front l-r: Guin Bell, Lynn Stoker, Christine Mason, Carole Hoare, Victoria Makeleni
Seated front: Ken Wright
On 14th September, it was with great sadness that we said “FAREWELL” to a founding member of our HERO team, Athena Richmond. She was a driving force in HERO and will be very much missed, but technology allows us to continue consulting with Athena and for that we are grateful.
The HEROs of the Karoo to Coast Cycle Race
Our New Banner!
The HERO Team – 500 Big 5’s later!
Girls at work!
L-R: Joyce & Victoria
L-R: Annette & Christine (our fearless leader)
Athena (left) Irene & Annette in background
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Lynn - Play Therapist & cook extraordinaire
Jarred
Ken – A griller of Note!
Caz - the vegetarian HERO
Michael – The Friar!
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Victoria
Trish - Griller & Tiller!
Fashion statement!
Andy – tireless & fearless
The Big 5 Burger - a bun, patty, onion, tomato & lettuce
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It felt like an ambitious plan - sell 500 burgers at the end of the cycle race. The day was warm and the cold wind which had previously plagued the coast moved on. Ken, Kevin and Andy carted gas plates (courtesy of Lions, Sedgefield) and tables (courtesy of Lesley, a wonderful supporter!); Irene and Annette cooked tons of onion and tomato relish; Candice buttered rolls, sliced onions and tomatoes and collected tickets - this after printing and folding 400 brochures and sourcing food donations in the preceding week. Victoria stood in the line and, when she was relieved, moved over to the cooking area to help.
Lynn cooked and kept the onions coming through. Michael stood calmly at the skottel, flipping patties and stirring onions. Trish manned the till for hours on end and Athena filled nearly 500 packets. Special tributes to Joyce - a new volunteer who kept the production line going and to Cyril, who flattered, bullied, charmed and cajoled the milling crowds into coming in to buy a burger - or two!
Dear Caz - a vegetarian who spent hours on her feet, fetching and carrying meat patties and putting them onto the rolls; controlled the hungry hordes with charm and discovered which half of a burger bun should be on the bottom.
That it worked so well was down to the planning team’s careful preparations. That we ran out of burgers was a team effort and that we raised enough money to help more traumatised children was because a bunch of HERO’s are dedicated to the future wellbeing of children and their communities.
We remain in awe of Francois at Checkers, Knysna, who is a HERO in his singular generosity in donating ingredients for the cause. And we are deeply, deeply grateful to Portland Mini Mark, who made it possible for us to afford the patties.
To Lions of Knysna - thank you for the opportunity. And to the cyclists and their families who supported the HERO fundraiser by buying ‘Big 5' burgers - and who came back for seconds - thank you! See you next year…….
Lynn cooked and kept the onions coming through. Michael stood calmly at the skottel, flipping patties and stirring onions. Trish manned the till for hours on end and Athena filled nearly 500 packets. Special tributes to Joyce - a new volunteer who kept the production line going and to Cyril, who flattered, bullied, charmed and cajoled the milling crowds into coming in to buy a burger - or two!
Dear Caz - a vegetarian who spent hours on her feet, fetching and carrying meat patties and putting them onto the rolls; controlled the hungry hordes with charm and discovered which half of a burger bun should be on the bottom.
That it worked so well was down to the planning team’s careful preparations. That we ran out of burgers was a team effort and that we raised enough money to help more traumatised children was because a bunch of HERO’s are dedicated to the future wellbeing of children and their communities.
We remain in awe of Francois at Checkers, Knysna, who is a HERO in his singular generosity in donating ingredients for the cause. And we are deeply, deeply grateful to Portland Mini Mark, who made it possible for us to afford the patties.
To Lions of Knysna - thank you for the opportunity. And to the cyclists and their families who supported the HERO fundraiser by buying ‘Big 5' burgers - and who came back for seconds - thank you! See you next year…….
