Slipper Day, Reach For A Dream's biggest fundraiser promises a day filled with warmth, generosity, and fun, says the organisation.

Since its inauguration in 2011, Slipper Day has become a nationwide movement where everyone from office workers to school children bands together to make dreams come true for children with critical diseases like cancer, renal failure and heart conditions, the organisation adds. 

According to Reach for a Dream, they do this by simply by buying a R20 sticker and wearing it with their slippers on the day. The 2024 theme is 'Step into My Slippers' and focuses on empathy, fun and stepping into the shoes (or rather, slippers) of these brave children. 

"Our children face unimaginable struggles each day in the hospital. Their courage and resilience are awe-inspiring," says Julia Sotirianakos, CEO of Reach For A Dream. "This year, we're calling on everyone to buy a sticker and step into their slippers on Slipper Day. By trading your shoes for slippers, you're stepping into these youngsters' world, showing them that they are not alone in this fight." 

All funds raised from Slipper Day go to the Reach For A Dream Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation that makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.

The organisation says that since its inception in 1988, it has turned more than 27 670 dreams into reality. These dreams — ranging from meeting personal heroes to experiencing new things for the first time — provide the children with a temporary escape from their illness and a much-needed distraction from often painful medical treatments.

Most importantly, fulfilled dreams inspire hope, giving these children a reason to believe that tomorrow is worth fighting for.

Individuals are encouraged to buy Slipper Day stickers and merchandise. Stickers cost R20 each and can be purchased from:

  • Wimpy
  • Pick n Pay
  • Dis-Chem Pharmacies
  • Dis-Chem Baby City
  • Toys R Us
  • Babies R Us
  • Krispy Kreme, and
  • HushPuppies.co.za.

Those who want to buy their stickers and a pair of funky slippers or socks online can click through to the Reach For A Dream website.

For 2024, Zapper has come on board to make it as easy as possible for people to pay for their virtual Slipper Day stickers by simply scanning a Zapper QR code, says the organisation. 

"If you wear your sticker and slippers to Wimpy on Friday, 31 May, you can get a free Famous Coffee (or hot chocolate for children under 12)," Reach for a Dream concludes.

For more information, visit www.reachforadream.org.za. You can also follow Reach For A Dream on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor