Sunninghill Santa

28/01/2026

𝓝𝓸𝔀 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓷…

Now… things aren’t what we hoped they would be.
There is a little boy missing from our family photos.

Grief is a difficult road to navigate, and the trauma that walks alongside our loss is, quite honestly, debilitating. Some days we pull each other up; other days we sit in sorrow always making space for the moments when the misses hurt that little bit more.

November to January are always our hardest months to face. The memories come flooding back of a time when Noah was alive, undergoing surgery, and we were making long commutes to Sunninghill Hospital for our three visiting hours a day. Car-park milk expressing. Our two boys left with their grandparents while we tried our best to navigate the worry and unpredictability of each day - one step at a time, one hour at a time. And on critical days… minute by minute.

I couldn’t just hold the pain of losing my son. I had to do something with the heartache. It was too heavy to carry alone. So I gave it to God and He gave it purpose.

Visiting paediatric units takes on an entirely different mindset. In my own strength, I can’t breathe. Everything echoes, and the alarms pierce my ears. I need to faint, I’m going to fall! But in God’s strength, I can do all things. I pack, prepare, and give teddies to children who are going through the unimaginable.
They smile. They smile.
And the parents, well often they cry, overwhelmed that someone has thought of them. That someone, a stranger, is standing in front of them, offering a hug, a prayer, and a glimmer of hope. Reassurance that it’s ok, not to be ok.

The juxtaposition of these two photos is powerful: the same bed, just three years apart. Me and my baby… and then me and my purpose.

God’s love surrounds us in the most beautiful ways, and He truly is near to the broken-hearted. It is a privilege to serve Him through the pain and to be His light for families who are trusting for a miracle.

I’m deeply thankful that hospitals have embraced this initiative with such openness and trust. I truly believe this is the beginning of decades of service.

In those moments when we hand out bears, it’s not about us… it’s about them. While doctors do all they can medically, the emotional upliftment a simple teddy can bring is indescribable. A small gesture, symbolising love, care, and presence.

Noah, you opened our eyes to this world, and we will forever carry your memory and your story with us. I’ve always said it’s an eye for an eye; but I’m changing that now.
It’s heart to heart.

If you’ve walked these steps, you’ll know.
You’ll know.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

27/01/2026

𝓐𝓵𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓽 𝓛𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓵𝓲 𝓗𝓸𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓽𝓪𝓵 | Visited by The Lubbe Family

Albert Luthuli Hospital has captured our hearts ♥️ The Joy that Santa brings is magical and the excitement of receiving gifts is contagious 💫 There is also deep sorrow in these hospital corridors. A little boy who was hit by a taxi a month ago and has still not woken up. A tiny baby not yet stable enough for her heart surgery. A precious child in a car accident the night before his 8th Birthday. Some who are recovering really well from their trauma, burns, cancer, operations or illness. Some who will not leave the hospital until they go home to Jesus. So many lying alone in their beds. Thank you to everyone who helped us bring a morning of Christmas Love and Hope to the children at Albert Luthuli Hospital. We pray your fluffy companions will bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead 🙏

Written by Bel Lubbe
❤️

22/01/2026

Today I chose to be brave…
❤️‍🩹
I thought I’d have the courage to share some of the stories I’ve been holding so close to my heart this festive season.

Truth be told, every time I look at a photo or video, my heart aches, and I struggle to bring myself to post.

This little boy still hadn’t woken up after being hit by a taxi in Port Shepstone months ago. This photo was taken during Father Christmas’ visit — a small moment of kindness, a Ruby plush toy placed gently beside a very uncertain story.

There is a scared space when you’re an empath. You feel the hurt and hardship so deeply. And yet, we keep showing up, doing what we can to make the journey just a little gentler.

I hope you’ve woken up, sweetheart.
And I hope you love your Ellie. 🧸
We so rarely get to know how the story ends — but we hold every child in our prayers, and we will continue to do so for our lifetime.

“The Lord watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.”
— Psalm 121:5

22/01/2026

This past Christmas morning, *882 plush teddies* 🩺🧸❤️‍🩹 found their way into the arms of critically ill children across 17 hospitals in Johannesburg and Durban.

Tiny hands reached out. Brave little hearts held on.
In hospital rooms filled with machines, worry, and long nights, each teddy became a small reminder of comfort, love, and hope.

For a moment, fear softened.
Tears turned into smiles.
And Christmas arrived quietly — wrapped in fur and compassion.

We are deeply grateful to every person who helped make this possible. Every donated teddy, every volunteer, every prayer played a part in bringing light to children who needed it most.

Because sometimes, the smallest gifts carry the greatest love. 🤍

🧸❤️

22/01/2026

This little boy is 14 years old.
His name is Wandile.

He is fighting a form of blood cancer, and his journey is heartbreakingly fragile. JP and I were given the sacred privilege of spending a short moment with him — time that felt far too brief, yet deeply meaningful.

Since meeting him, he has stayed with me. Every morning when I wake up, I find myself wondering how he is doing, and my heart breaks anew. 💔
Some children quietly carry more than any child ever should. Wandile does so with a gentleness that humbles you.

Please hold him close in your prayers. For comfort. For peace. For strength. For his family, who are walking a road no parent should have to walk alone.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18



❤️‍🩹 25th December at the Albert Luthuli Hospital

22/01/2026

𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓶𝓪𝓼 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓽 𝓛𝓲𝓷𝓴𝓼𝓯𝓲𝓮𝓵𝓭 𝓗𝓸𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓽𝓪𝓵

🩺❤️🎁🎅🏽 “On Christmas morning, I woke up eager to head to the hospital, where Natalie shared the uplifting news that the pediatric ward had discharged several children the day before, 🫶allowing us to focus on bringing joy to the NICU and maternity wards. There were only three babies in NICU, including one born at 30 weeks, whose parents were by their side. Although we didn’t receive much information about another premature baby, it was heartening to see the medical team working tirelessly to support him. Meanwhile, a well-weighted baby was thriving despite being surrounded by machines and wires, bringing hope to his mother who was eager to hold him. A poignant moment came when we entered the maternity ward and a little boy proudly declared, ‘I’m the big brother, by the way.’ It was a heartwarming reminder of the importance of family and connection.❣️ As I handed out teddy bears, I felt a sense of joy and hope, tempered by the knowledge that these tiny soldiers were fighting for their lives. 🙏I couldn’t help but wish for a Christmas miracle that would bring them healing and allow them to return home.”
Written by: KimO 🌞

Thank you Natalie and Kim for your incredible support in collecting teddies, donations and for handing out gifts to the patients at Linksfield on Christmas morning. I have no doubt heart felt held and your prayers bought healing to these little warriors. We appreciate all that you did and continue to do to serve these families.

28/12/2025

This morning was incredibly special, spent at Sunninghill Hospital with my husband dressing as Santa for the fourth year in a row. We feel deeply privileged to be given the opportunity to serve — and this year was even more meaningful, as our son Joshua was old enough to join us in the ward.

Hospital wards hold so much weight. There is sickness, waiting, fear, and quiet prayers whispered in moments no one ever expects to face. And yet, woven through all of it are stories of hope — a tiny baby recently coming off a ventilator, tubes slowly removed from her brave little body; steady heart rates returning; worried faces easing into smiles at the sight of Santa.

Serving together as a family is sacred to us. Seeing familiar nurses who have cared so tenderly for our own children warms our hearts, but alongside that joy we carry a deep ache for the families currently walking this road. We have been there. Our hearts instinctively make space for the grief, the uncertainty, and the courage it takes to simply keep going.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
— Romans 12:15

Thank you to every single person who donated a teddy bear. Today, tears were replaced with excitement, difficult moments were softened, and small firsts were made a little more special. Tonight, many children will fall asleep holding a cuddly companion — and that is because of you. We are truly grateful.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
— John 1:5

🧸❤️

24/12/2025

❤️

Conor has been through a lot this past week. He had a sonar of his transplanted kidney on Friday after dialysis. It indicated that it has shrunk and is scarred as anticipated, with a complete loss of blood flow.
This may be linked to the persistent challenges in managing his blood pressure, despite taking four different bloodpressure medications.
Input from the transplant unit will be essential in guiding future decisions regarding the transplanted kidney.
Conor's oxygen saturation levels decreased significantly, causing him considerable anxiety to the point where he stayed awake through the night.
The chest x-ray performed on Monday confirmed that he has lung infection.

We are so thankful for Sunninghill Santa's generosity in spreading Christmas spirit among the children undergoing treatment during the festive season.
It turned Conor's tears into a smile!

23/12/2025

693 presents will be gifted to critically ill children across 15 hospitals around Johannesburg. {Durban count loading…}

Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for every person who joined hands with us to make this possible. When we count our blessings, we truly count you twice.

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus — bringing light, hope, and joy into some very hard places.

“And whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.”
Matthew 25:40
🧸🤎

23/12/2025

GLYNWOOD HOSPITAL

We visited here recently when my son had an appendectomy, so it was especially meaningful to return and see the nursing staff again — this time bearing gifts.

Sisters, we are so grateful for your help on Christmas Eve, and we know you are looking forward to seeing the smiles and excitement these gifts will bring. Thank you for the love and care you pour out every day. 🤍🙏

23/12/2025

PARKLAND HOSPITAL SPRINGS

A hospital with a large paediatric unit, including a NICU, Paediatric ICU, and Paediatric General Ward.

We pray for healing and strength over every precious little patient, and we trust that each child will receive a moment of joy when opening their gift. May comfort, hope, and peace surround them and their families.

🧸