Dan with members of the Old Mutual team

During 2012 Iris House aims to increase the size of its care team to provide greater community support and care at the homes of families; and relocate to a suitable property for the Hospice in order to provide overnight, day and weekend care for the children.

Guest speaker for the event is Helen Zille.

Tickets for the event, held at the African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel, are R500 and can be booked through: 021 5590800.

Dan captured the hearts of every guest delivering an address about his epic journey to Iceland in a kayak.  He inspired and made every guest realise that with strong determination and courage the impossible and unimaginable can be realised. Dan was admired by ladies at the lunch for his courage, survival skills and endurance in completing a journey that not many people would sign up for, let alone finish.

Dan inspired everyone with his adventure, that all began with a dream, sheer determination and the will to change his life. A journey not for the fainthearted.

All ladies agreed Dan will have memories that will last a lifetime and the world is a better place for having people like him. It was a blessing to meet a real life hero.

Dan hard at work training

There’s just over a week to go to Knysna. Its been a frantic last 10 days or so that culminated in an awesome fund raiser at Club 31 this past Friday.

I must admit that I had a few butterflies and nerves before the event because so many people have had a part to play in the evening, a kind of vested interest if you like.

If I’d had the money I would have carried on bidding for Jordy Smiths surfboard! I’ve always wanted to be able to surf. Perhaps one day!

The evening was a success in so many respects, not least because we raised a lot of money for the Chase Winshaw Charity Trust but perhaps what pleased me most is that many of the guests were able to meet Chase and his father Charles. Like me they’re quite taken with the little guy, he has a wonderful warmth about him that’s so evident to everybody that comes into contact with him.

In between helping prepare for the event I spoke at Kelvin Grove Club on Thursday at their monthly luncheon. It was a very pleasant lunch and I was pleased to see some of my friends in the audience. It’s always great to be able to speak to some familiar faces.

In closing for now it would be remiss of me not thank Sue of Big Sports who has done so much to make sure that the fund-raiser was a success as well as Anli of Sovereign who’s always positive and enthusiastic. They’re both selfless and I’m lucky to be able to work with them.

Perhaps the biggest thank you must go to Johno Meintjes who was able to be at the event despite having a major shoulder reconstruction. He too is selfless and did loads of work to secure several valuable auction items.

Thank you also to Doug Worth, my long time friend who stepped in as an auctioneer. He got the crowd going in a big way and I don’t think he realises his talent to hold a crowd’s attention like he last weekend.

I’m off to the gym now with my housemate who also trains with Johno. He’ll take some pictues and I’ll post them this afternoon so you can track my training for my Knysna challenge next week.

Bye for now!

Dan

Dan spoke at Kelvin Grove yesterday. Members commented on his courage, positivity and for being being a great inspiration to them all.

After a quick stop at home I was off to Johannesburg to speak at a Primedia Ltd function which was really inspiring. It was laid back and informal and I loved the question and answer session that concluded the evening. I should have guessed that pertinent questions would come from two of my old friends that were at school with me in Grahamstown. We were able to roll back the years for a while and have a good laugh after the event.

What was really personal for me was that I was also able to spend an hour or so with my godson Ross who is the son of an old school friend of mine from St Andrews. It’s an honour to be made a God parent and a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

Today and tomorrow will be spent finalising sponsors and auction items for our fundraiser for the Chase Winshaw Charity Trust, happening this Friday, 29 June.

I’ll blog soonest about my progress on the bike challenge for which I am curently training and will upload some pictures too.

Until then have a great day and week.

Dan

The Knysna cycle challenge is fast approaching and I’m really looking forward to getting on that bike for Chase Winshaw. Anli and Sue have been superstars when it comes to organising the fund-raiser and entries to the event itself.

I have also been travelling around the country while preparing for the event. In this last month I was privileged to be able to go and speak at my old school, St Andrews in Grahamstown. It was a humbling experience to be back and I had floods of memories racing through my mind when I arrived.

I spoke to about eight groups of kids right from prep level to matric.

I have a new and healthy respect for teachers because its difficult to be on your feet all day keeping the attention of kids of all ages.

In the evening I was asked to give the David Wylde leadership indaba lecture in the Andrean Club which was a highlight. It was a time to reflect on a special time in my life and awesome to catch up with old teachers and mentors who I can proudly say have become my friends. It was most pleasing to get to spend time with Moegs Poland, acclaimed author of several gems including the 150 year biography of St Andrews “The Boy in you”. She’s an old family friend whom I love dearly.

It was a great experience.