FUNDRAISERS

Fundraisers are crucial at Up with Downs. We have 4 annual fundraisers: a Car Boot sale, Golf day, Cycle tour and our Christmas night market. During the year we also try to do smaller fundraisers because without the extra funds our centre will not be able to function.

Being an NGO, Up with Downs receives no government subsidy and school fees are insufficient to cover our operating costs. It is due to the hard work of the staff and our families who organise fundraisers throughout the year, and the generous sponsorships and donations from the general public that Up with Downs can continue to make a daily difference in the lives of these special young people.

One of our learners’ resourceful and energetic grandmother has offered to raise funds for our centre whilst walking the Pilgrimage of Hope (Uniondale to Cape St Blaise Lighthouse, Mossel Bay). She will be walking 20-25km each day, 9-23 May 2022.

In the words of granny Elsa, here is why she is doing it:

WALKING WITH A PURPOSE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN                 

…why walking…

Over eons people across the globe have walked for many reasons: in search of food, to worship, today we witness millions of refugees walking in search of shelter and safety.

I have, along with a friend Hazel Jonker, walked thousands of kilometers finding the silence, solitude and adventure intertwined with it all being a time of reconnection with life and the simplicity encapsulated therein. 

To me it is quite meditative.             

To me these long journeys represent so much of what special needs children and adults experience everyday, the uncertainty of what the day will hold so we tackle it one step at a time. Have you ever stopped and thought what tenacity or courage it takes for these children and adults to do just that: take one step at a time? To show up each day in a world where often they face judgement for choosing to do life differently?

And so I walk inspired by the fact that no matter how difficult the terrain, one just needs to show up one foot step, one smile at a time to reach the end goal and celebrate the awesomeness – our differences.

If you would like to support Elsa on her journey and donate towards her cause, the banking details are as follow:

Up with Downs school

ABSA bank George

Account number – 405 090 1991

Please use Elsa’sWalk as your reference when you make a donation.

CLICK HERE to donate money towards Elsa’s Walk For Hope via our electronic donation system.

REGULAR WALK UPDATES FROM ELSA:

The UWD Wine Auction is one of the highlights of the year! This is usually 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, Frederick Bekker. 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. This year our wine auction theme is ‘The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ and it will be on the 13^th of May at Fancourt.

This year our 4^th car boot sale was hosted on the 26^th of February at the public park in Pieter Theron street. This was a fun and relaxed morning, an event with true community spirit. We had many interesting stalls (or should we say boots!) selling a variety of goods, from second-hand goods to crafts and food. This year we were very excited to add a Junior Car Boot sale! This section was open to all primary school learners who showcased their entrepreneurial skills. For enquiries about our next Car Boot Sale or to book a space, phone the school office at 044 870 8770 or send a whatsapp on 072 563 1983.

A sponsored golf day is our second fundraiser each year. Usually held at the beautiful George Golf Club, our golf day has become a favourite amongst the golfing fraternity along the Garden Route. This year our golf day was held on the 10^th of March. We raised close to R100 000! Thank you to all our kind sponsors and participants. If  you would like to enquire about a four ball or would like more information on sponsorship of tees and greens for our golf day of 2023, please contact Brenda at 082 853 5018, 044 870 0522 or at upwithdowns@mweb.co.za.

Our cycle tour, The Up&Down Cycle tour, is usually hosted in October seeing that October is Down syndrome awareness month. If you would like to get an idea of that this tour is about, please have a look at our cycle tour post on Facebook or read our newsletter, under News, that was uploaded in November 2021. Our tour dates for this year is 22-23 October.

The Up with Downs Christmas Market is held in the fourth term. The market was established to display and sell arts and crafts made by the learners throughout the year. Our market also boasts with a brilliant coffee shop and food stall. This year our market will be on the 26^th of November so be sure to diarise this date.

Every year UWD 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. Contact Brenda Boshoff on 044 870 0522 of 082 853 5018 for more information.