Pieter-Rian's big sweet 16 birthday surprise!
Pieter-Rian is a 16-year-old who has been diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma (type of cancer). Today he celebrated his 16th birthday and we pulled out all the stops in making his day incredibly special.
It was a bitter sweet morning as we celebrated Pieter-Rian's sweet 16 birthday. After being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare cancer that affects the bone and soft tissue of the body, we received a heartfelt letter from his mother. Since his condition is terminal and his chemotherapy treatment has been completed, doctors have sent him home to spend his time with his family and friends.
His loved ones sent Good Morning Angels a letter asking to make his sixteenth birthday a special one. With that being said, we got to work over the last few week's at making his special day one he would never forget.
We had asked Peier-Rian who his favourite celebrity was and he told us that he is a big fan of Nataniël. We called up Nataniël and managed to have him surprise Pieter-Rian with a big rugby-themed birthday cake. His reaction was priceless!
Our good friend Reta Ingelbleek from SPAR North Region stopped by and surprised the family with a voucher to the value of R25,000 that they can use for groceries.
Need a tissue yet? Well, we did not stop there! As part of Pieter-Rian's birthday surprise, we called up our good friends at Guvon Hotel & Spas and asked them how they could help us make his day special. They quickly responded and managed to put together a whole day filled with different experiences at Askari Game Lodge & Spa. Not only will Pieter-Rian, his sister as well as his mother enjoy a relaxing evening at the lodge, but they will also be enjoying a spa day, an elephant feeding experience as well as a game drive.
So how would Pieter-Rian get to the lodge? Well, a helicopter of course! George Tonking from Bidvest Protea Coin agreed to whisk him away to his game lodge destination.
As part of his journey to the helicopter, Katinka Erasmus from Cancervive surprised Pieter-Rian and his family with beauty packs and the news that he would be escorted to the helicopter by a 40-strong biker guard of honour.
We have no words to describe this sight!
It was time for Pieter-Rian to take to the air in his personal chauffeured helicopter to Askari Game Lodge & Spa. Nervous, excited and ready for the rest of his surprises, Pieter-Rian took flight on what is only the beginning of an incredible day ahead.
Take a listen and download Pieter-Rian's inspirational message on how he is not going to give up the fight.
A big thank you to all who helped us make this incredible day so special and unforgettable.
Chris Ndlovu from Boyang Gape Tours: Transport of the Benadie Family
Retha Ingenbleek from Spar North Region: R25 000 Spar vouchers for groceries
Play Station: PlayStation Games
“Schweet” at Centurion Lifestyle Centre: for Pieter-Rian’s birthday cake
Nataniël, for being an Angel and bringing love
Heli pilot: George Tonking from Bidvest Coin Security
Graham Shipway, General Manager of Guvon’s Askari Lodge and Spa: Game Drive, Elephant experience, meals, spa treatments, overnight stay for family
Adam Fullmore from Air Ventures for a Hot-air Balloon ride
Katinka Erasmus from Cancervive for Revlon Gift Packs and Biker Guard of honour for Pieter-Rian and his family
Roelof Smith, Bulls Flanker for meeting the Benadie’s at Askari and spending time with them.
We will keep you all posted on the rest of his birthday surprises in the next few days. Keep a look out for the video!