The Udder ‘Sight’ of Life day

Garth Collins recently took part in MNET’s Celebrity Survivor South Africa: Santa Carolina edition. Unfortunately he developed a serious case of cellulitis in the first few days and was voted off – thus missing out on the opportunity to win R500 000 for his charity of choice: The South African Guide Dogs Association (SAGA).

Nevertheless, he is determined to still do something to benefit SAGA and thus initiated a wonderful fundraiser at Irene Village Mall on April 17.
The Udder ‘Sight’of Life day will be presented in association with MNET Survivor SA, Irene Mall and Garth Collins and promises to provide a fun (as well as educational) family day for all ages!

Members of the public will be encouraged to enter teams of two people for the “Blindman’s Bluff Challenge” under blindfold! Participants will enter in teams and one person from the team will be given a blindfold while the other team member will act as a guide. Participants will receive clues leading them to chosen stores/landmarks throughout the mall where they will have to complete various tasks/obstacles under blindfold.

At each point they will receive the clue for the next point and so make their way along the designated course around the mall. Members of the public can enter anytime between 10am and 2pm as this will be an on-going event throughout the day. Entry fee for this event is a R50 donation per team of two with all proceeds going to the South African Guide Dog’s Association. This entry fee automatically qualifies participants in the draw to win a brand new Nissan Livina 1.6!

This will not only be a fun activity and help raise funds for SAGA but also help create awareness regarding the mobility challenges blind people face without the assistance of a guide dog.

The response to this event has been very well supported by various public personalities and highlights throughout the day will also included a “celebrity Blindman’s Bluff Challenge” Throughout the day various blindfolded celebrities will take part in a challenge in which they will be given tasks to perform (using a guide dog as the mobility aid) and will compete against other celebrities/celeb teams.

This will be most entertaining for the crowds who will be there to cheer on their favorite stars. Various corporate sponsors will have the opportunity of sponsoring a celeb in each challenge by making a donation to the guide dog association. The celebrity will then represent the corporate sponsor in the challenge by wearing the company’s T-shirt during the event. The “Celebrity Blindman’s Bluff Challenges” will take place every hour throughout the day – each time with different competitors.

Confirmed celebrities thus far are:
· Garth Collins (Celebrity Survivor)
· Riva Schoeman (Jacaranda 94.2)
· Riaan Venter (Die Nutsman)
· Leigh-Ann Mol (5fm)
· Corine Du Toit (Egoli)
· Ben Kruger (7de Laan)
· Gugu Zulu (Strictly Come Dancing)
· Lochner De Kok (Getroud Met Rugby)
· Kaz McFadden (Binnelanders)
· Werner Coetser (Franz Marx Glitterati winner)
· Stephen Van Niekerk (Isidingo)

Sponsors for this event have been more than generous and members of the public stand a chance of winning a R5000 shopping voucher from Pick n Pay, underwater cameras and hampers from LiquiFruit and various other prizes and give-aways from stores in the centre including Altech Autopage, Vet&Pet, Lego, Mug & Bean, Willa Krause, Karoo Restaurant and many more.

At the end of the day this event is aimed at raising awareness around blindness and visual impairment as well as to help raise much needed funds for the further training of guide dogs. The cost to train one guide dog is R58000 and SAGA trains on average 55-60 per annum! They only charge the blind recipients R5 and R100 board and lodging fees when they arrive at the SAGA training centre to receive their new guide dogs!

Come and join us and help promote this wonderful fundraiser for an organization that brings mobility and independence to blind/visually impaired people and provides loving homes for all guide dogs.

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” ~ Mother Teresa
“Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.” ~ Unknown