The aim is always to raise the target for the following year’s Slipper Day to ensure that Reach For A Dream is able to reach even more children fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Johannesburg, South Africa – It’s almost that time of year again when we get to wear slippers for a full day, all in the name of good!
Following all fundraising efforts for Slipper Day 2018, Wimpy South Africa raised R1.43 million for the Reach For A Dream Foundation from the sales of Slipper Day wristbands which were sold for R10 at Wimpy restaurants nationwide.
Since 1988, the Reach for A Dream Foundation has brought hope, joy and healing to South African children and their families by offering a child a magical moment to regain their childhood that is being lost to a life-threatening illness.
In 30 years, the Reach for a Dream Foundation has brought hope to over 60 000 life-threatened children across South Africa. The Foundation discovered an interesting fact about life-threatening illnesses – a more significant percentage of children survive than adults.
“We believe that one of the reasons for this is that children simply have not learnt what life-threatening means, they live each day as it is given to them. For children, attitude is everything, and they need all the encouragement they can get. Whatever the dream, no matter how big or small, it often gives the child hope and courage to carry on the fight. The fulfilment of these dreams inspires hope and courage in the dreamer and helps them believe that tomorrow is worth fighting for.”
Celebrities and influencers such as Trevor Gumbi, Catherine Grenfell, Liesl Laurie, Bohang Moeko, Lorcia Cooper, Shugasmakx and Boity Thulo, to name a few, showed their support for Slipper Day by wearing their Slippers and wristbands, and encouraged their networks to do the same.
And on Slipper Day last year, 42 151 cups of free Famous Wimpy Coffees were given away to customers who came into a Wimpy restaurant wearing their slippers and wristband. The number of coffees that were given away are indicative of just how many South Africans are in support of Reach For A Dream and want to directly contribute towards changing lives of young children fighting life-threatening illnesses.
“Slipper Day has a special place in Wimpy’s heart, and we are incredibly proud to be part of an initiative that helps to fulfil the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. With our wide footprint across the country, we are able to make sure that Slipper Day wristbands are easily accessible to the public seeing that Reach For A Dream doesn’t have outlets,” says Jacques Cronje, Wimpy Marketing Executive.
“We also want to thank all South Africans that came out in their numbers and bought a wristband for Slipper Day. Without your support, the donation of R1.43 million would not have been possible.”
The aim is always to raise the target for the following year’s Slipper Day to ensure that Reach For A Dream is able to reach even more children fighting life-threatening illnesses.
“Assisting Reach For A Dream with the Slipper Day initiative means the world to us. In our hearts, we know that this money will be used to fulfil dreams and bring some much-needed sunshine into many children’s lives,” concluded Cronje.
And this year, the initiative is ready to raise even more funds to support these dreams.
To take part in Slipper Day 2019, all you need is a R10 wristband to wear your favourite slippers to school, work, university, gym, the shops or just around the house. You can purchase your wristband from any Pick n Pay, Wimpy or Dis-Chem store or any of our Reach For A Dream branches.
Wearing your R10 wristband and slippers will also get you a free coffee (or hot chocolate for kids under 12) from Wimpy on Slipper Day, 10 May 2019.
“Fulfilling dreams give parents hope, and inspire children to believe in the power of what a dream can do” – Julia Sotirianakos, CEO, Reach For A Dream
Just over three decades later, The Reach For A Dream Foundation has positively touched over 3 million lives. The fulfilment of these dreams inspires hope and courage in the dreamer and helps them believe that tomorrow is worth fighting for.
Encourage your office, school, friends and family to take part in Slipper Day 2019.
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