Marilyn Ramos shows support for Casual Day

Marilyn Ramos and one of the children from Sunshine Centre

She spent an inspiring Mandela Day morning by meeting, interacting - and dispensing big hugs - at the centre, which is one of several run by the Sunshine Association. The organisation is a top performer in one of the country's most successful fundraising campaigns, which last year raised a staggering R22.2 million.

Raising funds and awareness

Ramos donned her Casual Day golf shirt and cap, and found a special place near her heart for her Casual Day sticker. Through her work with various children's organisations, Ramos has become aware of the importance of children's development, especially in the first 1000 days of their lives.

Gerda Brown, GM of the Sunshine Association, said the aim of Sunshine's programmes is to create awareness around including children with disabilities in regular programmes and community life. "Our Start Programme is an indigenous training programme developed by the Sunshine Association. We also cater for able-bodied preschool children as part of the Inclusion Programme. We have a shortfall in our funding from government and the funds we raise through Casual Day really help to close that gap."

Said Ramos, "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help you kickstart your Casual Day campaign. Go big and wear your sticker." She will be tweeting her encouragement during the month before Casual Day.

Go Big for Casual Day

Said project leader Celeste Vinassa, "By adding her support to the Sunshine Centre's Casual Day campaign and Casual Day in general, Marilyn will be helping to change the world for the better - and that is after all, the overarching aim of Mandela Day. Marilyn's involvement will inspire others to participate in Casual Day.

"Funds are raised R10 at a time through sticker donations, so we want to encourage all South Africans to support their local Casual Day beneficiary organisations like Sunshine Centre. I can't stress how important it is for all businesses, schools and church groups to get involved with helping organisations like Sunshine Centre reach their financial targets. In tough financial times, Casual Day is a lifeline to many organisations rendering services to persons with disabilities."

This year Casual Day is on Friday, 6 September. The theme is Go Big! So whether you wear big hair, big glasses, a big tie, big shoes, or just go big on the number of stickers you wear, anything goes, as long as it's big!

Casual Day is the flagship project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities (NCPPDSA), a public benefit organisation mandated to improve education, accessibility and social inclusion for persons with disabilities. To order marketing material for your Casual Day campaign, to find out what others are doing to prepare to Go Big, and to link to Casual Day's social networks, go to www.casualday.co.za.