Broll Property Group, one of Africa’s leading property services firms serving the investor and occupiers markets has made a bold financial and human capital commitment to help children with life-threatening illnesses reach for their dreams through the Reach For A Dream Foundation.

The company has committed to making dreams come true for some of the children through the Foundation’s projects including Captain Courage, Queen for a Day, Show You Care Send A Bear and Granting of Dreams.

“Our commitment to Reach For A Dream speaks to our overall support of various organisations with the sole aim being to improve the quality of life of the less fortunate in the communities in which we operate in. “This is a bold commitment to ensuring children’s dreams do come true and that despite their illnesses, they are treated with love and dignity always,” says Noleen Feddern, Divisional Director for Group HR at Broll Property Group and Broll Reach For A Dream Project Manager for this initiative.

She explains that since 2002, the Broll Foundation which represents the Group’s corporate social responsibility arm, the company has been actively involved and supporting communities across the country from projects such as Meal Packing through the Stop Hunger Campaign, donation of school uniforms and books among others.

Most of the projects that Broll has supported over the years look after the well-being of children and the company sees this as a valuable contribution to our future leaders.

“Broll recognises the challenges facing many sick children and the potential they have, given the right environment and nurturing their needs, some of these children if they manage to beat their illnesses will become important members of our society in future.” “To this end, Broll has committed financial and human capital to assist in projects aimed at alleviating the lives of children living with life-threatening illnesses and help make their dreams come true.”

For nearly three decades, the Reach For A Dream Foundation, a non-profit organisation has brought hope, joy and healing to countless South African children aged between 3 and 18 years. These children have used their dreams to fight life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and leukaemia, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, renal failure and various blood disorders. Reach For A Dream offers children magical moments to regain their childhood that is being lost to illness, hence the various projects allowing companies like Broll to participate.

On 26 August, Broll staff members spent time with a group a young boys during the Captain Courage project in Pretoria. This project gives the boys a chance to participate in adventurous and fun outdoor activities. At the end of the day, the boys are honoured with a Captain Courage medal and a certificate of bravery and this then serves as a reminder that they can overcome anything and that includes their illness. The second event was held on 10 September with more events planned for the next few months.

“There is nothing more gratifying that seeing the looks, the smiles and the laughs of the boys during the adventure and it was a reminder, that for some people, that moment when you live in the present is more important and guaranteed than the next one.  “I had my two children of similar age and it was an eye opener to see how they relate to their peers and this taught them valuable lesson in giving back to others less fortunate than themselves even if it means spending time playing or reading,” says Feddern.

Over the next few months, Broll staff members across the country will spend time with the children and teams from Reach For A Dream Foundation on projects including the Captain Courage and Princess for a Day project designed to lift the spirits and build the confidence and self-esteem of little girls fighting life-threatening illnesses as well as fulfilling dreams and the Teddy Bear Drive.

Feddern says instead of giving corporate gifts to its clients, this year Broll will buy the Reach For A Dream Teddy Bears to be donated to the children in hospitals.

“We are grateful to Reach For A Dream Foundation for giving us the opportunity to contribute to making dreams come true for children living with life-threatening illnesses and we look forward to making magical moments with the Foundation going forward,” adds Feddern.