Happy Birthday to Pebbles and 8 years of Thank You's
Monday, 10 December, 2012
The Pebbles Project
Pebbles celebrates 8 years of growth and success and it is down to the support of the Farm owners, the Donors, the Pebbles team, the Parents and the Children themselves.
Sophia Warner and her dedicated team deserve to celebrate, as 8 years ago The Pebbles Project registered as an NPO Educational Trust and has gone from strength to strength. Pebbles provides educational resources, support and facilities to over 700 children in the Cape Winelands. They also provide training and mentoring to the crèche and afterschool club teachers and also hold workshops for the parents and wider community members. Pebbles will celebrate its 8th birthday with the children at the Christmas Party on 6th Dec at Southey’s Vines in Somerset West.
There have been a number of Prize Giving and Graduation events for the Pebbles children this week and it has been hugely emotional to see the transformation in the lives of the children and their families as a result of the work Pebbles does. However as Sophia pointed out, at each of these events, none of the success stories would have been possible if it wasn't for a united commitment and joining of hands between the following groups of people that make it all happen.
The Farm owners, the Parents, the Pebbles team, the Donors and the Children themselves each play a significant and invaluable role in changing and shaping the future of our country. Without these five groups pulling and working together it simply wouldn’t happen. Pebbles would like to take this opportunity and this platform to thank everyone involved, for your never ending support and to recognise the owners of the following farms who have partnered with Pebbles to provide these services to their communities and who always support Pebbles at fundraising events. Eikendal, Delheim, Remhoogte, L’Avenir, Bellevue, Hartenberg, Koopmanskloof, Kaapzicht, Villiera, Overgaauw, Niel Joubert, Bosman Family Vineyards, Flenterskloof, Voor Paardeberg, Soetmelksvlei.
Over the years there has been a lot of fun and fundraising,with events such as the Valentine’s Day brunch, Abseiling Table Mountain (never again!) the Pavilion party, Viva Las Vegas in London, Rock Evolution, Ken’s Big Shave, Octoberfest in London and Tank 1, 2 and most recently Tank Cubed at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, which raised R195,000. At each and every one of these events Pebbles has been generously supported by many people, so to each one of you, a heartfelt thanks for the 8 years of wonderful support. Please however prepare yourselves to celebrate at Pebbles 10th birthday during Cape Wine 2014….It’ll be the biggest one yet!
In particular Pebbles would like to thank the following people and companies for always going above and beyond, when it comes to support, both in financial terms (which is essential!) and in terms of giving their time, expertise and services for free. JF Hillebrand, Wines of South Africa, HCI Foundation, CJP Chemicals, Dept of Social Development, Distell, Wine.co.za, Haumann Smal, KWV, Bertus Basson of Overture Restaurant, Cathy & Kevin Marston, Warwick, the Platter journalists, Vineyard Connection and Operation Shoebox who each year provide a gift for every Pebbles child.
In addition to the farms mentioned, who always donate, we would like to thank all these other producers who also generously donate wine for our functions; Origin, Accolade, Creation, Springfield & Sauvignon.com.
Our grateful thanks also goes to the following people and companies who always support us with Wine Dinners and Auction items, without your generosity we would not be able to raise the funds needed, so thank you to: 96, Winery Road, Daryl & Nicolette Waterford & Base 4 helicopters, Delaire Graff Estate, Arabella Spa & hotel, Mullineux Wines, Meerlust, The Turbine Hotel & Spa, Reyneke Wines, Mulderbosch, Jörg Pfützer & Michael Fridjhon.
An enormous thanks also to all our International donors in particular Marks & Spencer, Off Piste Wines, David Wainwright, Jo Clifton legacy, Face Africa, First Drinks and the many individuals who have run miles, shed kilo’s, ridden kilometres and raised money through their Just Giving pages, thank you.
Finally sincere thanks goes to the past and present UK Directors & Trustees for all the time and energy
they put in. Pebbles is run and managed by Sophia Warner and is currently guided and advised in South Africa by Mzo Mvemve, Anna Lusty, Lucy Warner, Stephen Digby & Peter Blaine and in the UK thanks goes to Elizabeth Clifton, Ray Abercromby, David Wainwright and the indomitable Keith Prothero.