Help Stepping Stone Hospice raise R76000 for babies facing life-threatening conditions and illnesses

Help Stepping Stone Hospice raise R76000 for babies facing life-threatening conditions and illnesses

Here's a little more info about this opportunity...

Tucked away in the heart of Alberton, a small but mighty team of nurses, caregivers, and volunteers shows up every single day to do some of the most difficult and most important work imaginable. They care for children. Children with life-limiting illnesses and conditions. Children who, through no fault of their own, need a level of medical and emotional support that most of us will never fully comprehend. This is Stepping Stone Hospice's Children's Unit, the only dedicated palliative care facility of its kind serving the Alberton community. And right now, they are asking for your help to care for these little warriors. The numbers are stark. It costs the hospice R2 500 per child, per day just to cover meals and basic operational costs. Multiply that across a month, and the unit requires a minimum of R75 000 simply to keep the lights on and the children fed and cared for. That figure does not include medical supplies, specialised equipment, therapy, or the counselling services offered to the families walking this heartbreaking road alongside their little ones. For a non-profit organisation that relies almost entirely on donations and community goodwill, that is an enormous and relentless financial pressure, one that Stepping Stone is increasingly struggling to meet. "Without sufficient funding, it gets difficult to meet some of these needs," said Tersia Burger, the founder and CEO of Stepping Stone Hospice, her voice carrying the weight of someone who has dedicated her life to this cause. "That is something we desperately want to avoid. Every child in our care deserves continuity, stability, and the comfort of familiar faces. That's why we're calling on our local community to stand with us." To understand why this matters so deeply, you have to understand what the Children's Unit actually does and what it means to the families it serves. It is not simply a place where sick children receive treatment. It is a sanctuary. A place where a child who has been handed one of life's most unfair circumstances can still find warmth, laughter, and dignity. The unit provides individualised palliative care tailored to each child's unique needs, while simultaneously offering counselling and emotional support to parents, siblings, and caregivers who are often utterly exhausted and overwhelmed. The dedicated team of healthcare professionals and volunteers works tirelessly, often in ways that go far beyond their job descriptions. They hold hands. They read stories. They sit with parents at 2am. They celebrate birthdays and small victories with the same enthusiasm they bring to the hardest of days. It is, by any measure, extraordinary work. What makes the situation even more urgent is the fact that Stepping Stone Hospice's Children's Unit stands alone. It is the only service provider of its kind in Alberton, meaning that if it were forced to reduce or close its services, there would simply be nowhere else for these children and their families to turn. The gap it would leave behind is not one that could easily or quickly be filled. For many families in the area, the unit is not a convenience. It is a lifeline. How You Can Make a Difference Tersia is quick to point out that no contribution is too small. Whether it is R5, R50 or R5 000, every rand donated goes directly toward keeping the unit operational and ensuring that the children in its care continue to receive the support they so desperately need. "Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve," she said. "We are deeply grateful for the support of our local community, and we urge everyone to consider making a donation to help us keep our Children's Unit doors open." For those who may not be in a position to donate financially, the 5-Star APCC and CoHSASA accredited hospice, also welcomes volunteers across a wide range of roles from working in their charity shop and assisting with fundraising events, to gardening, and administrative support. There truly is a place for everyone who wants to help. To find out how, email: fundraising@steppingstonehospice.co.za