Cyclists do it for Stepping Stone Hospice
The cycling team riding for Stepping Stone Hospice raised R612 000 that will go to a training centre.
ALNERTON- The Stepping Stone Hospice 94.7 Momentum Cycling Team did it again!
On November 8, they took on the Mountain Bike cycle and, on November 15, the Road Race.
The team (consisting of 85 cyclists), for the second year in a row exceeded not only their own expectations, but those of Stepping Stones, too.
A whopping R612 000 was raised for Stepping Stone Hospice and Care Services, a non-profit organisation in Alberton. Stepping Stone provides palliative care and support for patients and their families having to face illnesses such as cancer.
Every year, the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge gives participants the opportunity to create awareness of causes that are close to their hearts. Last year the hospice, with the support of Absa as the main sponsor, entered a team of 44 cyclists and raised R380 000, ending in fifth position in the Top 10 Charity Group.
“I am absolutely speechless,” says CEO of Stepping Stone Hospice, Tersia Burger.
“Not only did Absa come on board as our main sponsor again, but we have doubled our riders and almost doubled the funds raised!”
Also read: Cyclist raise R380 000 for hospice
Of the 85 cyclists, 29 were Absa employees inspired by the fact that Barclays undertook to match all funds raised by the Absa cyclists on the team.
Judy Joubert, a volunteer at Stepping Stone Hospice and an employee at Absa, co-ordinated this fund-raising project and worked relentlessly to ensure the hospice will reap the benefits.
“We salute Judy, the cyclists and all the sponsors. Because of this incredible effort, we can now proceed with the establishment of a training centre for Stepping Stone Hospice, with the emphasis on training for the care of children facing the trauma of life-limiting illnesses,” says Tersia.
Stepping Stone Hospice is an independent community-driven organisation and the first service of its kind in the Greater Alberton area of Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg South.
Its In-Patient Unit has eight wards, two of which cater for long term patients. A further 100 patients are being cared for in their homes by home-based care nurses and caregivers.
Related article: Stepping Stone Hospice opens a new wing
The fact that Stepping Stone Hospice cares for more than 100 patients in the community, has an eight-bed in-patient-unit, employs 58 care workers, four auxiliary nurses, four professional nurses and a further 13 permanent staff members, with a salary bill in excess of R300 000 a month, indicates the demand for hospice services in our community and the need for Stepping Stone Hospice to continuously embark on fund-raising activities.
For more information on Stepping Stone Hospice and Care Services, visit their website on www.steppingstonehospice.co.za
