South African Guide-Dogs Association announces its second annual Give a Cane Campaign
Read more: Honeydew Bowling Clubs annual Lewis-Williams Memorial Tournament raises money for SA Guide Dogs
For this year, the campaign is calling on South Africans to help raise enough to fund the distribution of at least 1 000 white canes and essential orientation and mobility training.
Pieter van Niekerk, the spokesperson for the SA Guide-Dogs Association, explained that with the donations towards a cane starting at just R50, everyone can be part of someone's journey to independence.
'A white cane is so much more than a mobility aid; it's freedom, dignity, and the confidence to move through life independently.'
Also read: SA Guide Dogs Association is looking for puppy raisers
Mtale Moodise, a gym enthusiast from Cosmo City, has benefitted from the campaign. He confidently walks himself to and from the gym with the help of his cane. Kyla Thabethe lost her vision suddenly during matric, and after a year of adjustment and support, passed and is now studying psychology at the University of Pretoria.
Each of their lives was changed by something as simple and as powerful as a white cane.
Van Niekerk said that the white cane provided by SA Guide-Dogs was not a regular walking stick. 'It's a specialised mobility tool with a rounded ball tip designed to detect changes in terrain, from sidewalks to tactile paving, and signals to others that the user is visually impaired. This promotes safety, awareness, and inclusion in public spaces.'
He added that a R50 donation helped bring someone closer to independence.
He shared ideas that people could do to raise funds:
Host a dress-up day, walk-a-thon, or blindfold challenge at work or school
Encourage your book club, community, or running group to chip in
Start a R50 donation challenge at the office
Take part in an online gaming fundraiser
Walk, run, or cycle 50km and get sponsored.
To donate now or set up your fundraiser, visit Guidedog.org.za
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Related article: Guide dogs visit Olivedale Library
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