Layla’s snow dream come true

When Layla’s family were told in March this year that nothing more could be done to treat her illness, which is a form of childhood cancer, her mother, Sharyn embarked on a project to make all her daughter’s dreams come true before it was too late. So far Layla has had a fairy princess party, enjoyed a dance troupe, and has had Graeme Watkins perform for her. She has also been to see The Sound of Music, but her biggest dream was to see and touch real snow.

On 26 June Layla and her family departed from Rand Airport via helicopter and landed at Tiffendal Ski Resort in the Drakensberg. Tiffendal sponsored accommodation, meals, transport and entertainment for the whole family which included Layla, her mom Sharyn, her brother Christian and her father Adam Helm.

Family friend Belinda Lombard, who was instrumental in organising the trip, said that it was amazing how the community pulled together to make Layla’s dream come true. “We have to thank Michael Lindeque for sponsoring the helicopter trip, Franco van Staten from the National Airways Corporation for flying the family there, Vicky Sankey and Debbie Goosen for co-ordinating the trip and finding the sponsors, and of course Tiffendal Ski Resort for being so hospitable,” Lombard said.

Layla loved her snow experience. “I saw a real snowman,” she excitedly said.