Nickey and Tumi the Travelling Teddy Walking 800km for a Wonderful Cause!

Photo Credit: Nickey Seger

Tumi the teddy bear accompanies the courageous Nickey Seger on an 800km trek across Spain to make hydrotherapy more accessible at a home for the mentally handicapped in SA.

Germiston, South Africa (28 September 2026) – In the dictionary, you’ll find Nickey’s name under the word ‘unstoppable.’ She is South Africa’s first female Navy diver, a world-record holder and a four-time Ironman. Four years ago, we shared a part of her inspiring story when she ran a half marathon every day for 14 days to keep a promise and put a special girl through high school.

Now, she’s taking on the Camino de Santiago in Spain to raise much-needed funds for Avril Elizabeth Home. She walks every step of the 800km journey with the home’s teddy bear mascot, Tumi, tucked safely into her backpack!

Avril Elizabeth Home is based in Germiston and provides specialised care, skilled nursing and physiotherapy to its 154 children and adult residents living with severe intellectual and physical disabilities.

The teddy bear holds a special meaning for the home and has been part of its story for almost 60 years.

In the ’80s, the home moved to Germiston. Funds were so tight that it was on the verge of closing down. Then, a kind gentleman donated 100 teddy bears, and the proceeds from their sale were enough to cover the rent. The teddy has been its mascot ever since.

Now, Tumi – short for Tumelo, which means ‘faith’ – is carrying that story even further as the pair embark on their walk of faith across Spain. They’re doing it to raise funds for the home’s life-changing hydrotherapy facilities.

“Our hydrotherapy wet facilities are more than warm water and currently only used half the year. For our residents it creates opportunities for movement, rehabilitation, comfort, confidence and dignity.”

Various improvements, repairs and upgrades need to be made to the facilities.

These include fitting solar panels to heat the pool during the winter months, refurbishing tiles and grouting, and upgrading the shower facilities. The home also needs a heating system for the hydrotherapy facility, an assisted pool hoist and railings, flotation devices, therapy tools, towels and robes.

With the costs stretching well beyond R700,000, Nickey and Tumi have made it their mission to complete the pilgrimage and, hopefully, raise the funds! The pair are currently undertaking the adventure, while a growing online crowdfunding campaign is giving supporters the chance to back their journey.

So far, more than R18,000 has been raised towards the R750,000 goal.

The duo is accompanied by Nickey’s partner, Grant Clack, on the adventure through Spain. They are currently on day 31 of the Camino and have stopped in Sarria before setting off for their next stop, Portomarín. Nickey shares updates on her Facebook page every day if you’d like to follow along!

To show your support for Nicky and Tumi in their mission to help Avril Elizabeth Home, follow this link.