Support Slipper Day this Friday

FOR the past eight years South Africans have been getting wacky and wearing their slippers to work and school, all in the name of making dreams come true for children living with a life-threatening illnesses.

Kerry Donkin, regional manager of Reach for a Dream for KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Northern Cape told Northglen News it’s the organisation’s biggest national fundraiser.

“It’s the perfect way for corporates, schools and individuals to get on board and help an ill child’s dream come true,” she said from their office in uMhlanga.

“A sticker, to wear on the day in support, costs only R20 and you get to wear your slippers all day. Who doesn’t want to go out in their slippers?” added Donkin.

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She said often children’s voices are lost, often unheard but every child has a dream which is definitely worth making come true.

There are 110 illnesses on the foundation’s list dealing with oncology related problems such as childhood cancer, issues with the liver and heart, renal conditions and muscular dystrophy.

“The child must be between the ages of three and 18 and be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness in order to meet the criteria,” said Donkin.

Although no ill child is refused, all experiences and ‘dreams’ are only made come true if it’s within their health parameters.

“Children are wonderful. They’re so inventive and creative and once we get to know the child’s likes and dislikes we are able to find out what their dreams are,” she said.

Each child is asked what they like, what they don’t like and what would be their perfect day.

“Some like to travel, meet celebrities, be something or have something. Some children want something tangible and some just want to taste an ice-cream for the first time,” said Donkin.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, making dreams a reality has become tricky so the foundation decided to get inventive like the children they deal with and take their dreams to them.

“We created a dream box which gets delivered via courier to the child. In that box is an experience the child has been dreaming of,” she said.

The dream room concept was also brought to life where a child experiences his or her dreams through virtual reality, even while undergoing treatment.

“A young girl who was paralysed swam with dolphins virtually. Our dream rooms are creative and beautiful spaces within hospitals that allow children to have a positive experience while in hospital. Hospitals are always seen as a place of doom and gloom but this took her mind off what she was going through,” said Donkin.

Dream rooms at King Edward Hospital and Chief Albert Luthuli Hospital will be completed soon.

This year Reach for a Dream , which was voted South Africa’s number one non-governmental organisation in February, would like to make 400 dreams come true in Durban.

“What we do plays a huge role in the road to recovery for these children. It gives them hope. So please support this cause. When you wear your slippers this Friday, people will know that you’ve helped make an ill child’s dream come true,” said Donkin.

Slippers can also be purchased online at www.reachforadream.org.za or at their branch at the Gateway Theater of Shopping or from Pick n Pay.

Prices range from R250 to R350 and there are unicorns, dinosaurs, flamingos and puppies to choose from.

Stickers can be purchased from Dischem, Wimpy, Toy Zone and Baby City.