Our Poppie Goes To Italy!

By: Stan Engelbrecht

Stan Engelbrecht Short URL: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/poppie-van-as

Personal message

**We would like to thank you on behalf of Poppie for the overwhelming support that has been shown to her trip, but more importantly for the interest that you have all had in wanting to see this amazing woman’s story being told. You have all made it possible for us to reach our target. As you may know, a little while ago we started working on a documentary about Poppie. The story will be exploring her personal history, her life today and of course her trip to Italy and how it will shape her life. With Poppie’s blessing, a 50% share of all potential profits resulting from the documentary will go to her. We are proud to be able to tell her story, and of course the more donations we receive the better we are able to make the final product. The more we are able to raise over our initial target, the bigger the impact on Poppie’s life in the long run.**

My name is Stan Engelbrecht, I'm 43 and I live in Cape Town. I am raising funds for my dear friend Poppie van As, an elderly underprivileged lady who has a small roadside 'roosterbrood' stand on the N1 in Laingsburg.

Poppie and I met by chance about 6 years ago, and I asked her to come and prepare her now-famous 'roosterbrood' at a few of the bicycling races I organise. Over the years she has made 'roosterbrood' at all my races, and she has become part of the family.

One of the events I organize is Eroica South Africa in Montagu, and of course Poppie was there to make 'roosterbrood' for the weary riders. Eroica is an Italian event that I manage locally. During their visit the Italian representatives were so impressed with Poppie, and so touched by her incredible life story, that they invited her to Gaiole, Italy to attend the main Eroica event as a special guest. Since Poppie might struggle travelling overseas on her own for the first time in her life, myself and my girlfriend Donnet will be escorting her.

Since Poppie has never left the Western Cape in her life, we decided to take this opportunity to show her Italy for 10 days and take her on a road trip. It has always been her dream to travel overseas. At 63 and being from a poor community, she might never have the opportunity to do so again. Having known Poppie for 6 years I know that this is a dream-come-true for her, and this experience will change her life forever. Please be part of it!

The first R45 000 we've raised here will go towards Poppie's visa appointment, travel to-and-from Cape Town, getting her a few things that will make her comfortable on her first airplane trip, and her first visit overseas! Just some suitable clothing and sensible shoes maybe. We want her to feel comfortable and confident.

In Italy the funds will provide a bit of spending money for Poppie, and will go towards accommodation, food and travel expenses while we are there. We have this one opportunity to show her Venice, Rome, and some of the wonderful things Italy has to offer, and it would be sad to miss out on something simply because we can't afford it. We want to give Poppie the best, richest possible experience, and every little bit will help to make this a life-changing trip for her.

If you pass there on the N1, please be sure to stop and buy a 'roosterbrood' or 3 - she would love to meet you!

*** For those interested in how your very kind donations have been applied so far, here is a breakdown...

Back-a-Buddy donations totalling R96 613.88:

Back-a-Buddy 1st payout / 9 August 2019 - R30 460.59

Back-a-Buddy 2nd payout / 10 September 2019 - R54 723.59

Back-a-Buddy 3rd payout / 09 October 2019 - R10 014.15

Back-a-Buddy 4th payout / 09 November 2019 - R1 414.55

Other donations totalling R38 929.00:

Direct Donation / 11 August 2019 - R250.00

Direct Donation / 15 August 2019 - R13 464.00

WCW Fundraiser / 24 August 2019 - R4 215.00

Direct Donation / 30 August 2019 - R1 000.00

Direct Donation / 18 September 2019 - R15 000.00

Direct Donation / 11 October 2019 - R5 000.00

SUB-TOTAL - R135 542.33

Expenses up to 6 November 2019:

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT - R8 623.08

TRANSPORT - R31 223.10

ACCOMMODATION - R22 391.67

FOOD - R19 828.57

WARDROBE - R16 526.90

MARKETING / PRESS - R1 378.60

ADMINISTRATION - R2 149.85

MISCELLANEOUS - R1 652.69

RESEARCH - R200.00

PERSONAL WITHDRAWALS by POPPIE - R26 000.00

SUB-TOTAL - R129 974.46

GRAND TOTAL - R5 568.42

Thank you all again for your wonderful support. Poppie's trip to Europe was huge success and she enjoyed it immensely.

Donations