Fundraise for Smiles
Planning to run Two Oceans or Comrades … or even just your first 10km challenge? Entering the Cape Town Cycle Tour, or an Iron Man contest? Celebrating a milestone birthday? Looking for extra motivation to lose weight?
Whatever you’re doing, why not use the opportunity to raise funds for Operation Smile? Just by doing something you love – or accepting a challenge – you could help provide safe surgery for a child born with a cleft lip or palate, whose family cannot afford to pay hospital and doctors’ bills.
Decide
Choose your fundraising activity – anything from participating in an event to donating your birthday! You can fundraise as an individual, or get a team of friends together to add to the fun.
Set your target
On average, fundraisers choose targets of between R2000 to R5000. But you can set any target you’re comfortable with. There are no penalties for not reaching your target. So go ahead and aim high!
Register
Register your profile and event on GivenGain (make sure you select Operation Smile SA as your beneficiary. Tell friends why they should support you (and Operation Smile). Add pictures or videos and a deadline.
Share
Share on social media and face-to-face with family, friends and business colleagues. Ask them to support you. Be bold – you’re not asking for yourself. TIP: It’s easier to ask others, if you’ve already made the first donation.
Jenni, Graham, and Hayden Rowe have raised nearly R55 000 for cleft surgery through KY-ND – an initiative they launched in memory of their son and brother, Ky, who tragically passed away on 9 August 2022.
Jenni set up a fundraising page for KY-ND, using the family’s love of sport to inspire friends and colleagues to join the cause. On 9 August this year – Jenni’s 60th birthday and the 3rd anniversary of Ky’s passing – she chose to celebrate by asking for donations to Operation Smile instead of gifts, helping to give more children the chance to smile with confidence.
“We hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” says Jenni. “Supporting Operation Smile is something that would have meant a lot to Ky – and it means so much to us.”
We thank the family for choosing to turn heartache into hope. Their story of courage and caring is such an inspiration to others.
In February 2023, Richard Kohler made history when he arrived in Salvador, Brazil, after paddling 7000km solo and unsupported across the Southern Atlantic Ocean from Cape Town in an 8 metre kayak.
This epic journey, which lasted 63 days, had long been a dream of Richard’s – not only for his personal achievement, but also to raise funds for Operation Smile, a charity that is very close to his heart.
“Like everyone who closely followed Richard’s progress, we are in complete awe of what he has achieved and delighted he has made his dream a reality,” said Sarah Scarth, Executive Director of Operation Smile South Africa.
“We are deeply grateful that he has used his epic adventure to transform the lives of dozens of children born with cleft lip and palates, by raising over R600 000 for Operation Smile. Congratulations and thank you, Richard!”
“I smile a lot,” says Bob, “And people smile back. Smiling people are happy people. Please help me put a smile on a the face of a young child born with a cleft lip and palate.”
Bob’s friends and family responded with generosity and he not only reached his fundraising target, he exceeded it – raising over R300 000 for Operation Smile.
Family and friends joined Bob on the final day’s hike of 14 km from Betty’s Bay to the Sea Farm in Pringle Bay, and on to finishing at the Hangklip Hotel for well deserved refreshments.
Thank you so much, Bob, for choosing to help children born with cleft conditions.