Touched by two little angels

After losing their mother to cancer in October last year, and only one month after the passing of their grandmother, young Ballito siblings Terri (7) and Troy (5) Oliver were left distraught.

Following this life-altering event, the children found some much needed comfort in their grandfather Tommy Oliver; who is now their full-time guardian.

The family were contacted by fully trained nurse and grief counsellor Jaime Ernst of the Ballito Cancer Support Network, who provides both physical and emotional care to patients and their loved ones as they navigate their way through the treacherous journey of cancer.

Working with projects director at the Ballito Lions Club, Paul Naidoo, and founder of the Resinet Nutters mountain-biking club, Scott Pearmain – Ernst has founded the Terri Troy Society and registered it as an official non-profit organisation.

Touched by the children’s story, Naidoo, Ernst and Pearmain took on this cancer awareness initiative to seek to achieve the dream of the siblings’ mother, which was to secure a stellar education for both children.

Through an on-going fundraising campaign primarily sponsored by Naidoo and the Ballito Lions and marketed by Pearmain and Ernst, the Terri Troy Society’s goal is to raise R3m in order to see both children through to the end of tertiary education.

Plans do not end there, however, as Ernst, Pearmain and Naidoo wish to grow the Society to a platform where it can financially aid other families battling the same enemy.

The motto of the foundation is as simple as it is sincere: “Ballito people looking out for Ballito children.”

“For children to be embraced with powerful love so that they feel the warmth of a mother’s care,” said Ernst, lies at the heart of the Terri Troy Society, while promoting the central message that “early detection (of cancer) saves lives.”

For more information contact Jaime Ernst at stay@villajaime.com or Scott Pearmain at scott@nkwazifreedomwear.com.