NPO directors Kate Laurie, Lianie le Roux and Michelle Philips with magician Peter G and Michelle Adams (right).
- Daniel and Friends Fund marked its 10th anniversary with a gala in Durbanville, celebrating a decade of supporting special needs families.
- Founded in 2014, the NPO has grown from helping five families to nearly 250 nationwide, providing resources and emotional support.
- The evening highlighted their achievements and looked forward to expanding their impactful work in the future.
A decade of dedication and impact was commemorated in style last Friday night as Daniel and Friends Fund marked its 10th anniversary.
The enchanting gala evening unfolded at the picturesque Eensgezind, nestled just outside Durbanville, setting the perfect scene for a night of celebration.
The non-profit organisation (NPO) which provides support to families with special needs children, brought together philanthropists, supporters and celebrities for a night to remember.
Guests were greeted by the jazzy saxophone sounds of Cangi Nekhumbe as they enjoyed a refreshing gin bar, before being treated to an exquisite three-course dinner and entertainment by well-loved songbird Andriëtte Norman.
Guests Springbok rugby player Deon Fourie and André van der Merwe share a moment.
The highlight of the evening was a lively auction of many items. Magician Peter G and celebrity Michelle Adams, a long-standing ambassador for the organisation, played MC for the evening. Other well-known faces seen were those of Springbok rugby player Deon Fourie, singer-songwriter Ard Matthews and actress Tanya van Graan.
Now in its seventh year, the Touching the Heart Gala is an important annual fund raiser for the organisation. Since its founding in 2014 by Lianie le Roux and Kate Laurie, three months after the deaths of their children Daniel and Marielé from rare diseases, the fund has been a beacon of hope for families navigating the challenges of raising children with special needs.
The NPO started with five families, growing to almost 250 families countrywide. Over the past 10 years the organisation has provided a range of services, from specialised resources and equipment to emotional support creating a safe space for these families to form a special needs community.
A decade of transformative support
In her heartfelt speech, Adams reflected on the organisation’s many accolades and the roles Le Roux and Laurie fulfilled.
“Over the past 10 years you have changed families’ lives and brought people hope. You have been beacons of courage and sources of strength and taught us that being kind, giving back is sometimes as simple as a text message.
“You have fought tirelessly for inclusion of special-needs kids and their families in communities. You have held the hands of moms and dads in their darkest hours and placed the needs of others ahead of your own. You have taught us not simply to cast a child with special needs out, but to focus on the beautiful ability that child has. You have taught us that even in the darkest hours of our lives we can see the light, one that can become something so wonderful, and your wonderful is this very organisation.. Thank you for making us all better humans.”
Le Roux expressed gratitude for reaching such a significant milestone.
“I think grateful, excited, humble are just some of the words that come to mind. So many organisations do not always rise to the top, and we are truly grateful that after 10 years we can say we are only getting stronger and our dreams bigger.”
Highlights over the years include a Touching the Heart photo book that depicts the journey of special-needs children, captured by photographer Candice Rodrigues as well as six Different is Cool fashion shows supported by the Foschini Group. The fund has been able to provide therapy and donate six wheelchairs, four standing frames, seven walkers and specialised therapy to children.
They were involved in four painting projects, in which the walls of children’s wards in the Tygerberg, Karl Bremer and Red Cross hospitals were colourfully adorned. Furthermore, they did regular community outreaches and CPR workskops, not forgetting the two Nappy Walks and annual Goat Run at Fairview Farm.
Activist for the disabled Karen Smit is a regular face at the annual galas.
Daniel and Friends registered the trademark MothersRAmazing, and in 2018 was nominated for a Rare Diamond Award for the work they do. Le Roux, a nursing practitioner, won the Unashamedly Ethical Award for her work in health care.
“We have built up an incredible support network in our community, people who support us and are there for us. We are a formidable team with wonderful ambassadors, patrons and a board that fully supports us. We also had wonderful people come our way. An NPO is not just three or 10 people. It really takes a village.”
Sadly, many of the children lost their battles over these past 10 years.
“Loss is always part of us,” Le Roux said. “But I believe the fact that we can be there for one another really makes a difference. A place to be safe, a safe space, a place of belonging.”
Looking ahead
“Daniel and Friends means more to us than we can ever put into words,” Le Roux pointed out. It started with the loss of our children, but it has expanded to so much more. It is about our families, our children in the special-needs community. They say you can’t choose family, but we choose family every day. Over and over.”
She said the NPO also has meaning for those who do not live with special needs themselves.
“I think it teaches the community to stand together, to be grateful, to give back.”
As the organisation celebrates its success over the last decade, it also looks forward to a future filled with hope and possibility.
“We definitely plan to expand further, and get our community more involved by attending our events and coming to see what Daniel and Friends is all about.”
For more information on how to get involved or to contribute see their website at https://danielandfriends.com
