To add cherry to this festive surprise, some members also kindly donated the prizes they won on the day, back to hospice, amongst it a much needed pressure cooker to be used in the In-Patient Unit’s kitchen.

“This group had its beginnings back in 1979 and throughout the years we have managed to donate just over R750 000 to charities, mostly to hospices in our area,” explains Dave Briggs, secretary/treasurer of Club 140. “We implement various initiatives during the year at our monthly golf days in order to raise the funds, and it includes a hospice levy added to the green fees our players pay” Dave says.

In thanking the members, Tersia Burger, CEO of Stepping Stone Hospice, explained that this donation could not have come at a better time. “Hospices throughout the country are struggling to keep their doors open – people don’t always realize that end-of-life care is costly. In the majority of cases, our patients have either depleted their medical aids or simply don’t have the financial means to contribute towards this cost. However, we never turn a patient away, regardless of their financial situation. That is the major reason why we continue to raise funds and then of course to increase our facilities so that we can care for more people in need of palliative care.”

Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services was founded on 1 January 2013 and is the only non-profit, community-based organization in the greater Alberton, Bassonia, Glenvista, Kathehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus, where the sole mission is to offer comprehensive and holistic palliative care services, with an in-home programme as well as an in-patient facility.

Caption: Charles Lewis (left), chairman of CLUB 40 and Dave Briggs (right) secretary/treasurer of the club, handing over the donation of R50 000 to Tersia Burger, CEO Stepping Stone Hospice.