fundraise for smiles

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.

fundraising idea

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.

fundraising target

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!

fundraise online

Register

Register on our built in fundraising platform. Or set up an Operation Smile profile on GivenGain if you’re fundraising overseas. Tell friends why they should support you (and Operation Smile). Add pictures or videos and a deadline.

Share fundraiser

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 first donate to your own fundraiser.

See what others are doing

Get Inspired

Richard Kohler arrives in Salvador

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!”

Read more about Richard’s epic fundraising adventure

Robert Bolus

During October and November 2022, Robert Bolus walked 500km from Mossel Bay to Pringle Bay to raise funds for Operation Smile.

“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.

Start your own fundraiser

Dan Meyer

Last July, Dan Meyer with support from Ashley Verhulp cycled 3 588km across Europe to put a smile on children’s faces. He describes it as doing the 109km Cape Town Cycle Tour six days a week for six weeks.

The idea to cycle for charity came to him at 2am one morning.

“I had a bicycle in my garage and I just thought, ‘Maybe I should go cycling.’ Europe is a good place because it’s a lot safer than South Africa. It was just me, my bicycle and my tent.

“Making Operation Smile my beneficiary made the most sense – they do incredible work and I’m really happy to be part of the charity.”

Through his grueling journey, Daniel (39) raised R140 000 for Operation Smile. We are extremely grateful to him for this amazing support.

See Dan’s new Smile Cycle 2023 Challenge