What an incredible initiative and I was so sad that I was not able to make it through to the official handover due to time constraints. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and the team from Clover Nutrikids brand made a significant donation to the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation – they handed over the keys to a newly renovated six bedroom property to CHOC. This is the fifth house facilitated by Clover to CHOC in the space of a few years.

CHOC is the only organisation in South Africa that provides comprehensive countrywide support for children with cancer, life-threatening blood disorders and their families. The foundation, established in 1979 by parents of children with cancer relies on corporate sponsors like Clover and donations from groups or individuals wanting to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer.

“We have been working closely with CHOC in various guises over the years, having facilitated properties across South Africa exclusively for CHOC – this house being the fifth in a long on-going partnership,” says Clover’s Brand Group Manager Edith Molepo. “The tie in with our Clover Nutrikids brand was a natural progression for us, as a brand aimed at toddlers and young children that prides itself on providing healthy nutrition to kids and building healthy development. The brand’s slogan ‘good for Mom, way better for kids’ emphasises these inherent beliefs.”

The Clover Nutrikids CHOC House is located at 185 Monument drive, Lyttleton, Pretoria, close to the Unitas Hospital. “We have invested close to R2 million into this house which has undergone major renovations to ensure that each area of the house provides maximum benefit to the kids as well as the CHOC employees who are vital to the children’s recovery,” she says.

Liezel Page, Junior Brand Manager adds: “We’ve spent the past 18 months partnering with CHOC to help raise much needed funds through telethons, donation enabled websites and of course through a portion of our Nutrikids product sales to ensure that this house became a reality. We are very passionate about raising awareness about childhood cancer and have also used the platforms of social media campaigns, TV interviews and online video clips to help the cause.”

“CHOC is all about keeping hope alive and it is this very premise on which we’ve based this gift. Throughout this project, the theme of hope has been a central motivator,” adds Edith.