Thousands of South Africans braved the bitter cold weather to walk united in the fight against childhood hunger, and early childhood development.
On Sunday 26 August, thousands of people united in the fight against childhood hunger and braved the bitterly cold wind and rain by participating in the Peninsula School Feeding Association’s (PSFA) 50thBlisters for Bread Family Charity Fun Walk along the scenic Sea Point Promenade.
Due to the inclement weather conditions on the day, approximately 6 300 walkers of the 11 401 who officially entered, participated in the 5km and 10 km walks. Thanks to everyone who entered, the event managed to raise a fantastic total of R684 060. This amount will enable PSFA to provide 1 520 children affected by poverty with a daily nutritious breakfast and lunch for an entire calendar year.
PSFA is a registered non-profit organisation that addresses hunger in young learners attending primary, secondary and special needs schools as well as Orphaned & Vulnerable Children Centres (OVCs), Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs) and Further Education and Training Centres (FET’s) in the Western Province. Nutritious cooked meals in the form of breakfast and lunch are currently being provided to over 26 000 young people at 170 educational institutions throughout the Western Cape. PSFA has to date served over 1. billion meals to underprivileged school children.
High profile walkers who walked on the day included Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape, Debbie Schäfer, the Western Cape Minister of Education and Anroux Marais, the Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport. Other people of note that walked included a teacher and four old boys from Savio College, Lansdowne. The teacher, Fr Francis Preston, was responsible for organising the first Blisters for Bread during 1968 and the Savio old boys walked in the first event from Simon’s Town to Lansdowne.
After crossing the finishing line and collecting their medals and a complimentary Coke, the walkers were treated to a live performance by MTV Africa award winner, Kyle Deutsch and the delicious aromas of fresh hot coffee and good food.
“2018 is a very special year for PSFA. During March we officially celebrated our 60thanniversary and then on August 26, we hosted our 50thBlisters for Bread walk. It is on this note that I on behalf of PSFA, would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people and organisations that have consistently supported PSFA and our annual fundraising event, Blisters for Bread year after year. Through our combined effort we are making great progress in the fight to end childhood hunger” said Petrina Pakoe, director at PSFA.
“I have never seen such a passionate group of people. They came out in the cold to walk for the children we serve!” said Brian Benatar, vice chairperson at PSFA
“This is a wonderful charity to support, if you do have money and you do have the means, then support them!” said Stanley Meiring, Savio College old boy who walked in the first Blisters for Bread during 1968.
PSFA encourages the public, businesses and schools that were unable to walk Blisters for Bread this year, to consider making a monetary contribution. This can be done by logging onto their website www.psfa.org.za 100% of all donations made to PSFA go towards school feeding and are tax-deductible.
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