Last week, a Worldwide Experience team member joined our parent company, the Mantis Collection’s table at the Ladies Charity Breakfast at Slipperfields in Port Elizabeth. The Mantis Collection sponsored a table at the event which was held in aid of the Aurora Special Care and Stimulation Centre. Over 300 women were in attendance.
On arrival at Slippersfield, a beautiful venue situated on a dairy farm outside of Port Elizabeth, we were welcomed by freshly brewed coffee which was sponsored by Mastertons. After being seated at the event, a hilarious master of ceremonies opened the morning by singing a very special song and then invited the main sponsors onto the stage. A few lucky prizes were drawn and handed out and then the delectable scent of breakfast wafted through the air and a beautiful breakfast was presented to each person by the Slippersfield waitrons. Slippersfield were so kind as to donate the venue for the event. They went above and beyond and even did the décor which was a very pleasant surprise for the organizers.
After breakfast, Nicky Blume was invited onto the stage. Nicky Blume is a farm attack and rape survivor, who shared her incredibly inspiring story and her message of hope to us all. Nicky was so kind as to even donate two vouchers from her shop, Blume Co.
Nicole Davidge, the fundraiser for the centre and the organizer of the event, was invited on stage to share the story of Aurora. Aurora which means “new beginnings”, is a center that caters for the very mentally and physically disabled. The centre currently caters for over 100 people who attend the stimulation center every day. The centre provides speech therapy, physiotherapy and water therapy in their heated swimming pool. Aurora also has a residential wing for the many full-time residents which provides 24-hour assistance to adults and children with severe disabilities. Aurora is a non-profit organization which is constantly seeking funds to meet its monthly expenses due to the minimum support received from government. Most parents are not able to pay for their children in Aurora’s care as they are unable to afford it, many of the children are orphans or have elderly parents who are worried about their children after their passing.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED AND HELP!
- 1. Volunteer – The centre needs helpers on a daily basis for Swimming
- Donations in kind – Clothing, bedding, curtains and / or any household items, games, useable toys, DVD movies etc.
- 3. Support their events by attending or helping on the day at The Fete, Golf Day, Fishing Competition, Street Collection.
- 4. Sponsor a child with a profound disability, whose parents do not have the means to pay fees.
- Commit to a once off amount in the form of a cheque or internet payment.
- All monetary donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE and the centre can provide you
with a Section 18A Certificate.
A massive thank you to Nicole Davidge for organizing such a wonderful event, and of course to all the sponsors who so willingly got involved.
By: Bianca Eke
