The Hangout: Dream a little dream of me
Let's do it for the dreamers. There are so many incredible organisations out there working tirelessly to make a difference—spreading hope, changing lives, and turning dreams into reality. It's not an easy job. I imagine it can be emotionally heavy at times. But what a meaningful way to live a life—giving others light in their darkest moments. Some people are simply born with that inner calling, and I often speak of them as angels with invisible wings.
This time, those angels are the dedicated team at Reach For A Dream. The dreamers, the laughter heroes, the selfless souls who make magic happen for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Their work is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2024 alone, they fulfilled 2,289 dreams—that's around six dreams every single day. Just imagine the joy that brings. Their Laughter Heroes reached 16,307 children, bringing giggles, moments of escape, and bright sparks of joy. And this past year, they created 10 new Dream Rooms, bringing the total to 24 across hospitals nationwide and 46 in total since its inception in 2017—safe, imaginative spaces where kids can just be kids.
These Dream Rooms aren't just cheerful play areas—they're powerful healing tools. As Professor Ashraf Coovadia, Head of Paediatrics at Rahima Moosa Hospital, says: 'The Dream Room helps reduce stress and foster creativity, bringing smiles and laughter to children who've been struggling. It's a vital part of our care, supporting emotional health alongside physical recovery.' And the feedback from parents is just as moving—after experiencing their dream day, children are more motivated to continue treatments, their confidence grows, and they show incredible resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. It's awe-inspiring what love, kindness, and a little hope can do.
Whether it's a trip somewhere special, owning something they've never had before, meeting their role models, or stepping into the shoes of who they dream of becoming one day—each child's wish is unique, and the Dream Team is always ready to make it come true.
Reach For A Dream has been lighting up lives for 36 years, and they're only getting started. Just last year, Natalie Lazaris and her incredible fundraising team raised R8.2 million. That's thanks to 400,000 stickers sold, 1,000 schools getting involved, and over 400 companies stepping up to support. But why stop there? Imagine if we could push that number even higher this year—say, half a million stickers sold? It sounds big, but if just one person in every friend group, family, or office swapped a cappuccino or a Friday night beer for a sticker, we'd get there in no time. Every little action counts.
I know times are tough, and not everyone is in a place to give financially. But support comes in many forms—share the campaign on your social media, start a conversation, or simply say a little prayer. Use #SlipperDay2025 and tag Reach For A Dream to help spread the word.
Winter's around the corner, and that means it's time to dust off your slippers. Let's walk together for the dreamers, for the brave little superheroes fighting every day, and for the angels who walk beside them. Let's dream together—and let's do it for the dreamers.
Slipper Day stickers are available at:
Wimpy, Dis-Chem, Baby City, Pick n Pay, Toys R Us, The Crazy Store, and Krispy Kreme.
Big love and thanks to campaign partners:
Zapper, Ren-Form CC, Hirt & Carter, DPD Laser, and The Courier Guy.
Thank you to the CEO from Reach For A Dream Sotriranakos, their chairman Peter Moyanga and every dream maker and laughter hero out there for changing lives and spreading the love.
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Let's do it for the dreamers. There are so many incredible organisations out there working tirelessly to make a difference—spreading hope, changing lives, and turning dreams into reality. It's not an easy job. I imagine it can be emotionally heavy at times. But what a meaningful way to live a life—giving others light in their darkest moments. Some people are simply born with that inner calling, and I often speak of them as angels with invisible wings. This time, those angels are the dedicated team at Reach For A Dream. The dreamers, the laughter heroes, the selfless souls who make magic happen for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Their work is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2024 alone, they fulfilled 2,289 dreams—that's around six dreams every single day. Just imagine the joy that brings. Their Laughter Heroes reached 16,307 children, bringing giggles, moments of escape, and bright sparks of joy. And this past year, they created 10 new Dream Rooms, bringing the total to 24 across hospitals nationwide and 46 in total since its inception in 2017—safe, imaginative spaces where kids can just be kids. These Dream Rooms aren't just cheerful play areas—they're powerful healing tools. As Professor Ashraf Coovadia, Head of Paediatrics at Rahima Moosa Hospital, says: 'The Dream Room helps reduce stress and foster creativity, bringing smiles and laughter to children who've been struggling. It's a vital part of our care, supporting emotional health alongside physical recovery.' And the feedback from parents is just as moving—after experiencing their dream day, children are more motivated to continue treatments, their confidence grows, and they show incredible resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. It's awe-inspiring what love, kindness, and a little hope can do. Whether it's a trip somewhere special, owning something they've never had before, meeting their role models, or stepping into the shoes of who they dream of becoming one day—each child's wish is unique, and the Dream Team is always ready to make it come true. Reach For A Dream has been lighting up lives for 36 years, and they're only getting started. Just last year, Natalie Lazaris and her incredible fundraising team raised R8.2 million. That's thanks to 400,000 stickers sold, 1,000 schools getting involved, and over 400 companies stepping up to support. But why stop there? Imagine if we could push that number even higher this year—say, half a million stickers sold? It sounds big, but if just one person in every friend group, family, or office swapped a cappuccino or a Friday night beer for a sticker, we'd get there in no time. Every little action counts. I know times are tough, and not everyone is in a place to give financially. But support comes in many forms—share the campaign on your social media, start a conversation, or simply say a little prayer. Use #SlipperDay2025 and tag Reach For A Dream to help spread the word. Winter's around the corner, and that means it's time to dust off your slippers. Let's walk together for the dreamers, for the brave little superheroes fighting every day, and for the angels who walk beside them. Let's dream together—and let's do it for the dreamers. Slipper Day stickers are available at: Wimpy, Dis-Chem, Baby City, Pick n Pay, Toys R Us, The Crazy Store, and Krispy Kreme. Big love and thanks to campaign partners: Zapper, Ren-Form CC, Hirt & Carter, DPD Laser, and The Courier Guy. Thank you to the CEO from Reach For A Dream Sotriranakos, their chairman Peter Moyanga and every dream maker and laughter hero out there for changing lives and spreading the love.
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