Fundraisers are crucial at Up with Downs. We have 4 annual fundraisers: a Car Boot sale, Golf day, Cycle tour and our Christmas night market. We also sell a 12 month calendar featuring photos of our learners and adults. During the year we also try to do smaller fundraisers because without the extra funds our centre will not be able to function.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Every year UWD produces a 12 month calendar featuring photos of our learners and adults. The calendars are sold to raise funds, and advertising space is sold on each page of the calendar. Contact Brenda Boshoff on 044 870 0522 of 082 853 5018 for more information.
Thrift & Craft market: Fun in the park!
The Thrift & Craft market is a fun informal event hosted in the public park near the school in Pieter Theron street. It is always a fun and relaxed morning, an event with true community spirit. We had have many interesting stalls – or should we say boots! – selling a variety of goods, from second-hand goods to crafts and food. For enquiries about our next Thrift & Craft Market or to book a space, phone the school office at 044 870 8770 or send a whatsapp on 072 563 1983.
GOLF DAY
A sponsored golf day is our second fundraiser each year. Usually held at the beautiful George Golf Club, our golf day has become a favourite amongst the golfing fraternity along the Garden Route. Our 2024 Golf day was held on Thursday 8 March. This year’s golf day was a great success. We raised close to R100 000!
If you would like to enquire about a four ball for or would like more information on sponsorship of tees and greens for our golf day of 2025, please contact Brenda at 082 853 5018, 044 870 0522 or at bb@upwithdowns.co.za
WINE AUCTION
The UWD Wine Auction is one of the highlights of the year! This is usually formal dinner & dance which is held at Fancourt Golf Estate. Each year has a special theme which is reflected in the decor and guests can dress accordingly. The wine auction is managed by a professional auctioneer, Frederick Bekker. There are a number of lots, containing a variety of wines most of which come directly from the Wine Estates’ cellars. Each year the learners also make an item to auction. It is a glamorous evening that everyone loves.
This year our wine auction was held on the 7th of June. The event was very well supported by our guests and an amount of just over R500 000 was raised for the school. We wish to thank our the George community and also the Wine Estates who donated wine for their generous support.
CYCLE TOUR: 2025 Date to be conrfirmed
Our 2-day Up & Down Cycle tour is hosted in October at Eight Bells Mountain Inn. If you would like to get an idea of what this tour is about, please have a look at our cycle tour post on Facebook. Our 2023 event was a big success and it is now becoming a firm favourite for cyclists who enjoy a more relaxed, scenic ride without the rush of a race.We hosted 30 riders at Eight Bells Mountain Inn near Hartenbos and stopped at a citrus farm, gin distillery and Perceron horse sanctuary. On day one, five of our learners rode with the group of cyclists for 7km, a big achievement for all. We are taking a break in 2024, but the dates for the 2025 Up & Down tour will be confirmed in early 2025. For more information phone 044 870 8770.
CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET: 22 November 2024
The Up with Downs Christmas Market is held in the fourth term. The market was established to display and sell arts and crafts made by the learners throughout the year, and has for the past four years been held as a late-afternoon/night market with food, crafts and a brilliant coffee shop. This year’s market will be held on Friday the 22th of November at the Blanco NG Church Hall in George. We’re working hard at school to have enough crafts and decorations to make this year’s market bigger than ever!
