Toti’s year of fundraising for Faron-Mae pays off
What an eventful year it has been for Faron-Mae Fisher, who suffers from Glycogen Storage Disease.
Fundraising for the four-year-old Toti girl started in April, when the Coffee Theatre, after reading her story in the Sun, decided they wanted to make a difference in this little girl’s life. Lilani and Calvin of the Coffee Theatre initiated a ‘cappuccino challenge’ where R1 from every cappuccino sold was donated to her trust. They raised R2,500, which was then generously matched by Pierre of Pierau Pharmacy.
This sparked a challenge among other coffee shops and restaurants in Toti including The Terrace at Illovo Nursery, Amanda’s, 22 on Rockview, The Coffee Cup and Spur Amanzimtoti. “It was amazing to see how people in the community were so receptive to help a little girl they didn’t even know,” said Faron-Mae’s mother Paula. To date, Brad Holmes of The Terrace has raised over R3,500 and is leading the challenge.
Lion Ken Toward and the Amanzimtoti Lions also reached out to support Faron-Mae with a donation of R5,000 and two cases of feeding formula.
In June Faron-Mae was accepted into the Storks Nest school.
In August this year, Sally Meyer became Faron-Mae’s facilitator. “This is a difficult job, as our little girl is extremely stubborn and strong-willed. The progress made in this short space of time has been positive and proven extremely beneficial to Faron-Mae and her developmental progress. Sally is an amazing woman of strength, tenacity and drive and this has made a big difference in our little girl’s life.”
In July, runners Debbie Ellish and Lizette Botha and the Run Walk For Life Toti team started running for Faron-Mae, to raise awareness of her disease. These fundraising events included sponsorship corporate pledges for the Mandela Marathon, Longest Day, 100 Miler and a South Coast Marathon raffle that together raised over R12,000. “These funds allowed Faron-Mae to have ankle foot orthotics made for her feet that assists her with standing.”
Sappi Saiccor employees also got involved and supported Avril Nichol’s fundraising at their offices.
In August Sheryl Martens and Rose Pretorious of Roses’ Place in Scottburgh hosted a potjie competition that raised R8,500.
“To all those special people and businesses who supported the Faron-Mae Fisher Trust this year, thank you for helping make a big difference in our little girl’s life,” said Paula.
“Thanks also to Lindie Nortier, Faron-Mae’s occupational therapist, Claudia Blackwood, her paediatric pysiotherapist, Nadine Harris, her speech therapist, Eira Hadebe and Bridget Brommsfield. All of you have touched Faron’s life in a positive way.”
