When champion of the vulnerable Nisha Varghese learned she wouldn’t be able to saddle up to support a charity close to her heart due to how it might impact her as someone with cerebral palsy, Tom and Tori Horse and Heart riders galloped to the rescue in the most heartwarming way.
East London, South Africa (17 September 2024) — Longtime champion of the vulnerable, Nisha Varghese, has done her fair share of epic things to better the lives of others.
Diagnosed with Cerebral palsy when she was just six months old, Nisha’s life was premised to be one filled with different experiences. What the doctors couldn’t diagnose, however, was just how much of a difference she would go on to make for vulnerable South Africans wherever she could!
For almost a decade, Nisha has been a force behind raising awareness and fundraising for people in dire need—from children with club foot and cleft palates to vulnerable babies and anti-trafficking causes. A Top 200 Young South African alumni, published author who wrote a book celebrating differences and a local legend, Nisha’s name is synonymous with inspiration.
But even those of us with lion’s hearts have limits.
The Ride of a Lifeline
Nisha had dreamed of riding a horse as part of a unique a fundraising rally for Breath of Life—a safe space for vulnerable babies that she’s been a longtime supporter of.
However, in what was a disappointing pill for Nisha to swallow, without a specialised saddle, the session would simply be too dangerous for her.
Cue Tom and Tori Horse and Heart—a horseback riding centre in Chinsta West.
The Tom and Tori team decided that they’d fill Nisha’s boots for this ride and offered to ride 22kms from Chinsta West to Cefani and back all for Nisha and Breath of Life!
As of yesterday, 16 September, the team successfully completed their ride—raising R39,544 of the R67,000 goal in the process.
Nisha couldn’t have been more excited that the team saddled up in her place and thanked them graciously for their effort. With the ride done and dusted, the call is now out to South Africans everywhere to help make the ride of a lifeline a success—which you can support here!
About Breath of Life
Based in East London, Breath of Life is a non-profit that offers abandoned and abused babies a safe and loving space until they find their forever homes or are reunited with family. Six little tots are cared for at a time to ensure they are given as much care as possible.
Nisha has been volunteering at Breath of Life for years, and is a huge supporter of their mission, sharing “I believe every baby deserves to start life on a level playing field.”
You can learn more about Breath of Life here.
by 