Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies Walk (L2L) 14 to 17 March 2024

For many years I have had the privilege of watching and supporting these amazing ladies in a small way and each year I watch with admiration their determination and commitment to their cause of raising funds for charities. The committee works hard to ensure the success of the event and deserve a huge applause for their dedication. Thank you, ladies.

I asked Michele Serfontein (Chairperson: L2L Ladies) to share with the readers of Gans-Berg News the experiences of the 4-Day event.

This is her story: “The L2L ladies have been walking to make a difference since 2006. This year we celebrated our 19th year and walked our 21st walk. L2L Ladies have raised over R7.2million since their inception and has supported more than 30 charities within the Overstrand.”

“This year, 115 women - 8 L2L Ladies committee members and 107 registered walkers, walked the 4-day 100km walk between L’Agulhas Lighthouse to Danger Point Lighthouse. The aim of this year’s walk is to raise R1million for Overstrand Hospice, their duly elected main beneficiary for 2024. This year Overstrand Hospice, as main beneficiary, had four walkers registered who completed the walk: Fran Tong (MD of OH), Joey Gold (Fundraiser at OH), Sister Esme Potgieter and Sister Susan van Sittert.”

When hosting an event like this much needed support is required. Michele said that the support by SAPS (Bredasdorp, Struisbaai and Gansbaai) - especially Warrant Officers Woensdregt Basson and Riaan Mostert from Gansbaai SAPS. Also, the critical medial support of 1Life Rescue - Mark and Ryna Robson - offered the walkers a much-needed sense of security while they walked the pristine coastline.

“The walk on Day 1 went well with no incidents and Day 2 started as a pleasant summer’s day but wrapped up the 18km walk with a fierce wind from the front towards the end of Day 2 (as walkers approached Die Dam). A longer day than in the past - this was due to one or two walkers experiencing medical emergencies caused by unexpected blisters. 

Day 3 welcomed the walkers with a fresh, cool breeze - pushing the walkers from behind. The stop at Quoin Point Lighthouse allowed walkers to hand over their refuse bags filled with rubbish picked up along the route (thank you to Bryan Stofberg and his wife for their willingness to drive out with the trailer to collect the rubbish). A quick lunch break at Buffeljags allowed time to handover their gifts of stationery, sweets and banana bread to Almarie (Chair of the SeeSterretjies ECD) and one of the teachers, Nicole. The long day was celebrated at the Pearly Beach shop with much needed ice-cream, champagne and wine.

Day 4 kicked off with ladies scrambling to clean up and pack up. The buses were loaded and the walkers taken back to Pearly Beach to kick start the final day’s 28km walk to Danger Point Lighthouse. A much needed cool down when walking through Uilenkraalsmond river ended with Watermelon and ice-cream in the parking lot. Another break at the White Shark Project in Kleinbaai provided refreshments to the tired, yet eager group of walkers. The last stretch was a victorious walk through the streets leading up to the Danger Point Lighthouse - kindly opened by the lighthouse keeper, Hubert. Champaign provided by Dylan and his small team from The Stop in Stanford, as well as ice lollies and sweets provide by Julia Barlow (15th year of support) and a well-earned medal sponsored by Ocean Basket (Hermanus) were handed out by the “Medal Committee” made up of the men behind the L2L Steerco: Gideon Serfontein, Frans Wessels, Jan-Hendrik Coetzer as well as Tinus van Schoor and Freddie Enslin. 

Special recognitions were given to each of the following stalwart walkers:

• Les Clark (Original walker - last walk at 80 years old in 2022)

• Hester van Zyl (Original walker / completed 10 L2L walks)

• Adele van Zyl (Completed 5 L2L walks)

• Linda Bellas (Oldest walker this year at 76 years - completed here 12th walk)

• Ronelle van Zyl (Past chairperson / Original)

The ‘Originals’ were the founding members of the L2L Ladies walk.”

Betsie de Witt of Gansbaai completed her second walk and the smile on her face and excitement in her voice said it all. Congratulations Betsie, well done. The comrade of this group of ladies is phenomenal, although tired at the end of the walk, they smiled and cheered as if they were beginning the walk. Well done to all the ladies, I salute you all. Rest well and I am sure you all will be taking up the challenge again next year.

A special word of thanks to Michele Serfontein who as Chairperson goes very much beyond the extra mile. Your smile and love for what you do is awesome, thank you.

Julia Barlow

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