The smell of freshly baked cupcakes filled Clearwater Mall and Kwena Square on Saturday, September 27, as the community came to support one of South Africa’s biggest charity fundraisers, National Cupcake Day.

Hosted annually by Cupcakes of Hope (CoH), the event saw beautifully decorated cupcake stands set up at 79 malls across the country, with volunteers known as Cupcake Angels selling their creations for R10 to R20 each. Every rand raised goes directly to helping children fighting cancer and supporting their families.

So far, the event has already brought in R813 951 from sales at just 30 malls, with totals from the other 49 malls, including those in Roodepoort, still being added up. The organisers expect the final amount to climb even higher as the last donations come in.

“I’ve been a volunteer and co-ordinator at Clearwater Mall since 2018, and I love doing it,” said Melissa Quinn. “A lot of members from my own family passed away from cancer, and I do love children. They don’t deserve what gets dished out to them, and of course, I’m helping raise funds and meet new friends,” Melissa added, explaining why she gives her time to co-ordinate for the event.

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Now in its 13th year, National Cupcake Day has become a tradition of kindness and community spirit. In 2024, more than R2m was raised, thanks to nearly 2 000 volunteer bakers who pledged 114 291 cupcakes across 74 malls.

The event also featured Mugg & Bean’s 13-year partnership with CoH, introducing a brand-new cupcake range, like passion fruit, peanut butter caramel, and the Muggles cupcake, with R2 from every sale going towards CoH to help extend support beyond the one-day event.

The funds raised from the event not only cover medical bills, but they also go towards other expenses like celebrating child patients’ birthdays around the country, providing activity care bags to paediatric oncology wards, and fulfilling requests for financial support.

With donations from the remaining malls still to follow, this year’s campaign is anticipated to achieve more than what was achieved last year and make a lasting impact on the lives of the people who are supported by the organisation.