Help Stepping Stone Hospice raise R250000 for building a 14-bed hospice in Raceview, Alberton.

Help Stepping Stone Hospice raise R250000 for building a 14-bed hospice in Raceview, Alberton.

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Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services has become a beacon of hope, dignity and compassionate care for families across Alberton and the greater Ekurhuleni East region. Founded on the belief that no person should face a life-limiting illness alone, the organisation has grown into one of Gauteng’s most respected palliative care providers, offering holistic support to patients and their loved ones during some of life’s most difficult moments. For more than a decade, Stepping Stone Hospice has walked alongside individuals and families facing cancer, organ failure, HIV/AIDS, neurological illnesses and other life-threatening conditions. Through home-based care, in-patient hospice care, bereavement counselling, social work support and spiritual care, the organisation has become an essential part of the healthcare safety net within Alberton and surrounding communities. The Growing Need for Palliative Care in Alberton and Ekurhuleni East The need for palliative care services in South Africa continues to rise at an alarming pace. According to the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC), tens of thousands of South Africans rely on hospice and palliative care services annually, with cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic illnesses and organ failure remaining among the leading conditions requiring specialised support. The World Health Organisation has also identified palliative care as an essential component of healthcare, particularly in communities where access to long-term medical support is limited. Within Ekurhuleni, the healthcare burden continues to intensify. Alberton and surrounding areas are experiencing growing numbers of elderly residents, terminally ill patients and vulnerable families who cannot afford private frail care or long-term hospitalisation. Public healthcare facilities remain overwhelmed, leaving many families with nowhere to turn during the final stages of illness. Stepping Stone Hospice has seen this reality firsthand. In 2025 alone, the organisation cared for nearly 300 patients in its in-patient unit, admitted over 238 new patients, supported more than 1,000 individuals, and conducted hundreds of home visits throughout the region. These numbers continue to grow each year, placing significant pressure on the current infrastructure and available bed capacity. Brick by Brick Building Project To address this growing need, Stepping Stone Hospice has launched the “Brick by Brick” Building Project. This is an ambitious yet deeply necessary initiative to construct a new purpose-built 14-bed adult in-patient hospice facility at 14 Glen Albyn Street, Raceview, Alberton. The proposed building will form part of the broader Stepping Stone Care Village and will provide a modern, therapeutic and dignified environment specifically designed around the needs of palliative patients and their families. Unlike traditional hospital wards, the new facility has been designed to provide warmth, privacy, peace and comfort during end-of-life care. The development will include: • 14 private in-patient rooms • Family consultation and waiting areas • A dedicated quiet room for reflection and prayer • Landscaped therapeutic gardens • Staff and nursing stations • Training and education facilities • Upgraded medical infrastructure • Future chapel and coffee shop developments Our New Market in-patient unit, which has operated since 2013, will not be closing. Instead, it will be thoughtfully repurposed into a dedicated pre-terminal palliative care unit. This is a decision driven by a growing and urgent need we have identified in our region. There is a significant shortage of accessible, affordable facilities that provide 24-hour, specialised nursing care and support for elderly individuals, as well as for those who are no longer able to manage daily living tasks independently. Most frail care and terminal care facilities are prohibitively expensive, placing them out of reach for many families who desperately need them. Stepping Stone is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. Our New Market IPU in Heidelberg Road will be transformed to accommodate these patients, offering compassionate, round-the-clock palliative care in a familiar and trusted environment, at a cost that does not place an impossible burden on families already navigating incredibly difficult circumstances. The building project has been strategically divided into three phases to make the dream achievable while urgently responding to community needs. Phase One focuses on the construction of the first section of the building and essential infrastructure required to begin operations. This first phase alone will cost R6.5 million. Phase Two and Three will complete the full development of the 14-bed in-patient unit and associated facilities. The second and third phase is expected to cost R16 million, excluding the future chapel and coffee shop development. The phased approach allows Stepping Stone Hospice to begin expanding services as funding becomes available while continuing to build toward the full long-term vision of the Care Village. The benefits for potential sponsors • Brand recognition; • Media exposure; • Event recognition; • Tax benefits (18A certificate); • Long-term partnership; • Employee engagement and volunteerism; • Community awareness. How You Can Help Stepping Stone Hospice cannot achieve this vision alone. The Brick by Brick campaign invites businesses, schools, churches, foundations and community members to become part of something truly meaningful. Whether through financial donations, sponsorships, building materials, professional services or fundraising partnerships, every contribution brings the organisation one step closer to opening the doors of this much-needed facility. We are seeking funding to support the costs of the project. We believe that this investment will have a lasting impact on the lives of our patients and their families, and will help to ensure that our organization remains a leader in hospice care. We are requesting funding to support the construction of the new facility. We are confident that with your support, we can make this project a reality and provide high-quality care to those who need it most. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with you to make a positive impact on our community. We are confident that together, we can make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families, and we look forward to the opportunity to discuss this project further. We have attached a detailed budget of this proposal, which outlines the scope of work and costs. We are available to answer any questions you may have, and we look forward to the opportunity to discuss this project further.

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries