L to R: Donna Holland, Rockinghorse CEO, Rob, Venus, Michelle, and Riaan Stiglingh from the Grand
Venus, a young cancer patient, was tasked with pressing the button to light up the iconic hotel and get Christmas truly underway.
Every year The Grand get the festive feeling going with their Christmas light switch on event. Along with their big Christmas tree and choir singers in the main foyer, they also have one special person to press the button to turn on the lights.
This year 11-year-old Venus was chosen as the VIP to do the honours. When she was nine years old, Venus was diagnosed with a tumour between her eyes and the front of her brain, taking away the sight in one and meaning she needed 85 weeks of chemotherapy.
Understandably this has had an enormous impact on Venus’ life; her experiences at school, her relationships with her friends and how she manages her feelings around her illness.
During her treatment, Venus received help from Rockinghorse. Along with support from the oncology psychologist Dr Alice Emond that we funded, Venus also attended several Woodland Wellbeing days and received some of the Silk and Lawn headscarves that we funded.
Venus has now completed her chemotherapy treatment and is looking forward to a bright future. The team here at Rockinghorse thought it would be lovely way to round up a difficult few years if Venus and her parents Rob and Michelle, were able to come along to turn the lights on and enjoy a delicious meal in the hotel restaurant, kindly donated by The Grand.
So, after some mulled wine and singing from a local children’s choir inside the hotel foyer, the crowd gathered outside the hotel for the countdown and then the whole front of the beautiful building was lit up, following the all-important button being pressed by Venus.
Venus said, “I now feel famous! It’s usually only celebrities that get this kind of opportunity.”
And Venus’ mum Michelle added, “What a pleasure to be invited to come along and turn on the Christmas lights. It’s brought some brightness to the dark days.”
All in all, it was a fantastic evening and a great way to kick off this year’s festive celebrations.
Thanks so much to The Grand for hosting such a wonderful event.
