Local businesses, Keepers Insurance and the Jacana Development Foundation, have once again shown the power of compassion in action.

After hosting their annual memorial bowls day, the partners gathered, on November 27 in Craighall, to hand over a cheque of R85 000 to Stepping Stone Hospice. The donation reflects not only the generosity of the insurance community, but also its unwavering belief in the hospice’s life-changing work.

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The Keepers Memorial Bowls Day, established in 2008 by Steven Jack in memory of his father, Andy, has become a respected fundraising event.

This year, 24 teams of 96 players came together to support vulnerable families in the region. They raised over R70 000, surpassing last year’s R50 000. Jack expressed his pride in the achievement, emphasising that the day is about honouring loved ones and the support from the insurance community.

The funds raised will directly support Stepping Stone Hospice, a sanctuary for patients facing life-threatening illness. The hospice provides specialist palliative care and a comforting environment for both children and adults who cannot be cared for at home.

Pam Richardson, of the Jacana Development Foundation, expressed the organisation’s deep commitment to the cause. She described Stepping Stone’s baby unit as a place where compassion meets expertise, ensuring that infants with life-limiting conditions and their families receive the medical, social, and emotional support they desperately need.

She added that the foundation is honoured to help sustain the care that allows these children moments of comfort, joy, and dignity.

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For Stepping Stone Hospice, the donation has come at a crucial time. CEO Tersia Burger explained that the current year has brought immense challenges as their units remain at full capacity. The amount raised will cover essential patient care for months, a significant contribution when nurturing just one baby costs R2 750 a day.

Burger expressed heartfelt gratitude to Keepers Insurance, the Jacana Foundation, and all who contributed. She shared that Stepping Stone was born from her own experience of watching her daughter suffer, and that the organisation remains rooted in the belief that every person deserves to die with dignity. The support from the community strengthens their ability to uphold that belief every single day.

As the festive season approaches, Burger urged the public to honour someone special through contributions, emphasising that even small gestures can change lives.

The cheque handover represented more than just financial support; it symbolised a community choosing kindness and standing by those facing tough times. Keepers Insurance and the Jacana Development Foundation have provided a shining reminder of hope.

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