Golf Day fund-raiser hosted in aid of Autism school

I Am Centre for Autism hosted a golf day at Reading Country Club on November 4 as a fund-raiser with the intent to allow more families access to the centre.

About 168 golfers enjoyed a day on the golf course with the golf day format being Betterball Stableford.

Following the golf, the day also included an evening function with many exciting prizes on offer, which included a hole-in-1 car, weekend away and others.

MC for the evening retired SA cricketer Fanie de Villiers took care of the prize-giving and charity auction.

Celeste Viljoen, principal at the school, said the golf day was held to raise funds for the school to bring improvements and sponsor their learners.

“We aim to allow access to the centre for as many families as possible. To assist us in reaching this goal, external funding is required. Raising a child with special needs can be very challenging, emotionally and financially. We strive to offer the best learning environment for children on the autism spectrum as well as support to parents and families,” she said.

She said their first-ever golf day hosted in November 2020 was a tremendous success and they managed to raise R200 000, thanks to the support of sponsors and players.

“With the proceeds from last year’s golf day, we were able to sponsor two children to be enrolled in the school. Two more families were assisted with their children’s education. We could open a new class and make improvements to the playground. We had more players this year than last year,” said Viljoen.