FUNDRAISERS

Fundraisers are crucial at Up with Down’s. In 2019 the Golf Day held at the George Golf club was a resounding success, bringing in over R90 000. The annual wine auction which took place at Fancourt on 25 May 2019 was attended by almost 200 people and over half a million rand was the eventual result of an evening full of fun and celebration. The energetic Frederick Bekker, kicking off his brand new business venture, Bekker Auctioneers, managed to sell a 5 litre Durbanville Hills “Tangram” (specially bottled by wine maker Martin Moor for this occasion) for the spectacular amount of R103 500!

A sponsored golf day is the first event each year. Usually held at the beautiful George Golf Club, this has become a favourite  amongst the golfing fraternity along the Garden Route. The 2020 Golf day was held on 12 March. For bookings and enquiries please contact Janet Seegmuller at 082 925 3368 or Brenda Boshoff at 044 870 8770 or Jill Warrand at 083 456 4652 or e-mail upwithdowns@mweb.co.za at any time.

The Wine Auction is one of the highlights of the year. A formal dinner & dance which is held at Fancourt Golf Estate. Each year has a special theme which is reflected in the decor and guests can dress accordingly. The wine auction is managed by a professional auctioneer. There are a number of lots, containing a variety of wines most of which come directly from the Wine Estates’ cellars. Each year the learners also make an item to auction. It is a glamorous evening, that everyone loves.

Due to Covid-19 regulations, the 2020 event was postponed and hosted online by Bekker Auctioneers from 26-30 August. We look forward to returning to our usual format in 2021. For enquiries please contact Janet Seegmuller at 082 925 3368.

The Up with Down’s MTB tour is now in its third year. This is a two day relaxed MTB tour covering 100km of the beautiful gravel roads of the Garden Route. The tour includes meals, pitstops and luxury accommodation. The tour is in October, which coincides with Down’s Syndrome Awareness Month. E-bikes and mountain bikes are welcome. The tour dates for 2020 were 17-18 October 2020, and the tour was supported by 30 riders. For enquiries about our 2021 tour, please contact Suzanne at 044 870 8770 or on 072 563 1983.

Up with Down’s Market Day is held in the fourth term. The Market Day was established to display and sell all the arts and crafts and vegetables grown by the learners throughout the year. The adults, with the help of parents, run a coffee shop and food stall.  In 2019 we held a night market for the first time, and it has been our most successful market to date. Night market date for 2020 is Friday 27 November.

Every year the school produces a 12 month calendar featuring photos of our learners and adults. The calendars are sold to raise funds, and advertising space is sold on each page of the calendar. The 2021 Calender is currently on sale, and the theme is “Smile, and the world smiles with you.” Contact Brenda Boshoff on 044 870 8770 of 082 853 5018 for more information.