A group of young dreamers traded hospital visits and everyday challenges for the roar of engines and the thrill of supercars at the Festival of Motoring at Kyalami.

The children, who are supported by Reach For A Dream, were treated to hot laps and an exciting day at the track as part of the organisation’s monthly Dream Club programme.

Slindile Tsotetsi, Gauteng Regional Manager for Reach For A Dream, said the outing was designed to give the children courage, hope and an experience they could cherish.

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“We have brought our amazing dreamers to experience the thrill of the Festival of Motoring,” said Tsotetsi. “They are so excited. They went into the cars, and it is just a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them.”

Tsotetsi explained that Dream Club outings are held every month for children who have received dreams from the organisation. The outings are often kept a surprise until the children arrive at their destination.

This month’s outing focused on courage, with the children encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and take on the excitement of the track.

“When they got here, and they saw the cars, they lost their minds,” said Tsotetsi. “They were just like, ‘Can we just stay here?’ They went in a hot lap, and they want to go back again now.”

She said these experiences are particularly important because families caring for children with life-threatening illnesses can face financial and emotional pressures, with some parents having to stop working to care for their children.

“That’s how Reach For A Dream comes in, to ensure that we still give the children hope, something to fight for,” she said.

Fifteen-year-old dreamer Mogomotsi Smith described his experience at Kyalami as ‘very amazing’, adding that the speed and excitement of the cars made the day memorable.

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The experience was made possible through Reach For A Dream’s partnership with Cartrack, which provided tickets for the children and supported their participation in the event.

Juan Marais, Cartrack Chief of Sales, said the partnership was about giving children an opportunity to experience joy and create lasting memories.

“At Cartrack, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to dream, experience joy and create lasting memories,” said Marais.

He said the company wanted the children to have an opportunity to step away from the challenges they face and ‘simply be kids’.

Cartrack will also donate proceeds from its hot-lap experience at the Festival of Motoring to Reach For A Dream, further supporting the organisation’s work.

“We are proud to play a part in creating unforgettable memories for these children while encouraging them to continue reaching for their dreams,” said Marais.

The day also formed part of Reach For A Dream’s fundraising efforts through its annual Dream Raffle. Tickets cost R200, with participants standing a chance to win a brand-new Jetour T2, while helping the organisation fulfil dreams for children living with life-threatening illnesses.

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