Locals parade in
This year, the committee running the well-known Pink Trees for Pauline Graaffreinet campaign decided to make the annual event into one of celebration of the lives of cancer patients, rather than a more solemn remembrance. The organisation was founded in 2012 to raise funds for local cancer sufferers, and from small beginnings in Graaff-reinet, it has spread to towns throughout the country. Graaff-reinet remains the heart of the movement, however, and this year the organisers really went to town with a jazzed-up “crazy pink” theme, aiming for more fun and visibility. Instead of t-shirts, caps were sold, with reams of pink material, and once again the trees in the town were wrapped in pink. The highlight of the campaign this year was a fun walk and float parade through the town last Saturday, 20 October. About 200 people bought tickets to join the walk - some cancer survivors, some who are still fighting the disease, and others just to show their respect and support, often in memory of someone they love who is or was a cancer sufferer. The theme was “crazy pink”, and there certainly were some crazy outfits. To add to the fun, there were eight gailydecorated floats, mostly from local businesses, but also one from Hoër Volkskool and a local church. The floats and walkers meandered along the route from Hoër Volkskool in Plasket Street to Somerset Street outside Our Yard and Polka, where a group of line dancers from Somerset East then gave a swinging performance. Those who had followed the procession then joined others in exploring the delights of the food court set up in Our Yard, with a variety of traditional and unusual eats including craft hotdogs, savoury and sweet waffles, and a mouth-watering selection of desserts. All money raised from the Pink Trees campaign goes towards the Graaff-reinet Cancer Association, which provides support (both practical and financial) to cancer patients in Graaff-reinet, Aberdeen, Nieu-bethesda, Jansenville and Pearston. The amount raised this year has not been finalised, but however much it is, it will be very gratefully received by the local organisation.