Whatshot

2025
2024
June
April
2023
March
2022
2021
2020
March
February
2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2014
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2013
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2012
December
November
October
September
August
July

Outdoor enthusiasts braved Sani Pass in support of The Sunflower Fund

Outdoor enthusiasts braved Sani Pass in support of The Sunflower Fund

Date: 2016-07-01
80 eager Jade Sky Hikers gathered at the base of Sani Pass on Sunday, 19th June at 7.30am. This hike is held annually in memory of Jade Preston who passed away at the tender age of nine after losing her battle with leukaemia. The hike also serves to highlight the great need for awareness and much-needed funds for those currently facing the same plight.

Enthusiasts of all ages braved the 8km pass to Lesotho in the cold and windy weather.Although the weather wasn't ideal, spirits were high as hikers challenged themselves to walking up the pass whilst celebrating life, honouring those lost to cancer, and supporting those fighting cancer at present. The Midlands 4x4 Club once again offered a wonderful service with breakfast rolls at the start to energise those who braved the hike. They ensured the hikers had water and support all the way to the top of Sani Pass, and back again until the last hiker was safely back from the challenging 16km round trip. A delicious hot meal and beverage at the highest pub in Africa was a welcome reward for many and concluded the day in a memorable way.

It was a treat to have leukaemia survivor Josh Rencken join the crowd on the hike. In 2010 the hike was in honour of Josh and he has walked it a few times since his struggle and triumph over cancer.

An incredible amount of R20 000 was raised which will be split equally between The Sunflower Fund and cancer patient Veroney Judd-Stevens. The Sunflower Fund donation will go towards the creation of awareness, education and the registration of stem cell donors on the South African Bone Marrow Registry. This gives hope to patients and families facing leukaemia and other life-threatening blood disorders, as the more donors there are on the Registry, the more hope patients have of finding their 1:100 000 life-saving stem cell donor match.

For more information on The Sunflower Fund or on how to become a stem cell donor, please visit https://www.sunflowerfund.org.za or call toll free call to 0800 12 10 82.