Golfing for Teddies (GFT) recently began its ambitious effort to donate over 10 000 teddy bears to kids in hospitals across the country.

The initiative started on December 3, when GFT, joined by several stakeholders, visited Wilgers Hospital and Rock of Hope House of Safety to bring festive joy to all the little ones.

Founder and CEO Megan du Preez started the NPO with her husband Henrich in 2015, intending to bring teddy bears to children in hospitals during December.

Last year, the NPO managed to gift over 4 000 teddies, but this year, to mark their 10th anniversary since inception, they aim to donate over 10 000.

The visits to Wilgers and the Hope House were the first stops of the journey as the NPO plans to visit nearly 100 hospitals nationwide until Christmas Day.

Former two-time World Cup-winning Springbok and Blue Bulls player, Duane Vermeulen, former All Black, Justin Marshall, and local amapiano artist and producer, Vuzi Zulu, among others, formed part of this year’s project.

With Santa in tow, they went from ward to ward, gifting the young ones and their families teddy bears along their way.

“It’s because of all the support we get, and everyone throwing their weight behind the charity. We have support from an international status with Justin Marshall, the All Black, coming in to support us. We can’t just stop, we have to carry on for another 10 years,” Du Preez said.

Du Preez said she hopes the NPO will serve as an inspiration for others to start whatever it is they would like to pursue, no matter what stage they are in life.

“We all have ideas, and you just think, where do I start, how do I do it? Just start.

We started with one teddy bear, it became 100, then 1 000, now 10 000, just from an idea, and people throwing their weight behind it.

So, if ever you want to do something and give back to the community, it will always be a success, because you’re doing something for the kids or to help someone else out,” she said.

The organisation has also delivered toys and volunteered at Steve Biko Hospital, Kalafong Hospital, and the Danville Hulp Projek.

Du Preez said they hope to go bigger and better next year, and give away more than 10 000 teddies, get more international partners and hospitals involved, and in future, donate 20 000.

Zulu said that he joined the effort because the cause is significant for him personally.

“I already work with kids, and I know exactly how painful it can be to be in a hospital and not get any visitors because I’ve been in a situation like that, especially recently. I can understand what the kids are going through, so this is close to my heart, and I felt I had to be here. I even postponed other things to make sure that I was,” he said.

Zulu said a little good, such as an act like this, can have a larger impact in a world rife with issues.

Senior nurse manager at Wilgers Hospital, Ivan Meyer, expressed his gratitude to GFT for their partnership over the years, as Wilgers was one of the first hospitals to agree to partner with them a decade ago.

“It makes such a difference in children’s lives, and it’s such a nice initiative, and it’s grown. It’s 10 000 teddies this year, and it’s nice to be part of that and make a difference in someone else’s life,” Meyer said.

Vermeulen has been a regular guest at the GFT’s annual Golf Day celebrity fundraiser at the Serengeti Estate, and said he tagged along with the teddy giveaway because he felt it was something special to be part of.

“There are a lot of people, and everyone comes from different backgrounds, but to come to a hospital and see the happiness and expressions… It doesn’t [matter] what your background is, what happened to you, or the different circumstances you’re in at any moment, to see Santa and spend time, see the kids’ faces when they receive a teddy bear, it’s truly special. It’s actually life-changing and something I’ll cherish going forward,” Vermeulen said.

He hopes everyone stays safe these holidays and lends a hand where they can.

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