Cupcake Day was celebrated at the Mall@Carnival on September 26 to benefit children with cancer, as part of a national event held in malls across the country.

The Brakpan branch was led this year by three mothers whose children benefited from the Cupcakes of Hope organisation, the non-profit company heading National Cupcake Day.

They sold cupcakes donated by “Cupcake Angels” to raise funds for the financial and emotional support of children diagnosed with cancer and their families.

These children are called Cupcake Heroes, and over September the Brakpan Herald shared the stories of the three Cupcake Heroes whose mothers organised this year’s Cupcake Day.

The campaign this year was a massive success, as the Brakpan branch received a staggering 6 000 cupcakes from Cupcake Angels to sell.

On top of the large amount of treats, some of which were vegan and allergen-free options, a face painting station for a R10 or more donation, as well as a raffle ticket list for a cupcake-shaped cake, contributed to the funds raised by the Brakpan branch.

Lead organiser Leandri van Zijl says the day was amazing. “This was a bad year regarding pledges for the organisation as a whole. Times are tough, the economy is difficult, people are struggling, and cash is strapped,” she said.

“But then the community stood up, and suddenly it was possible to move cupcakes to another mall that didn’t have as many pledges, but plenty of feet to give the cupcakes a new home,” she explained.

“Never, ever underestimate the power of prayer. Mall@Carnival collected the 6 000 cupcakes, with about 1 500 coming from the Heidelberg community. I met and got to know so many wonderful people.

“Everyone had a story, a point of pain, but no one fights alone, so all the gratitude to those who deserve it.

“Above all else, I would like to thank our Heavenly Father for the privilege of using Lieben’s story to make the world just a little bit better. Thank you that Lieben’s suffering isn’t in vain, but could be used towards a bigger goal.

“I would like to thank my husband, who stood by me from day one, and my friend Lelanie Rooseboom, who aided me as my co-coordinator. She is an iron woman, a force to be reckoned with.

“My co-oncology moms, Carla Bruwer and Karin Stevenson, I know the day was hard for you. I know what it costs to stand there on a day like this, but you came anyway to stand with me to help children like ours. It means the world to me.

“And to all the volunteers that pushed through the day, thank you. It was the most beautiful chaos ever, and to every single baker, without you there would literally be no Cupcake Day,” she said.

A handful of cupcakes remained at the end of the day, but two old age homes received their own treats from this, which left van Zijl with a full heart.