All our branches worked especially hard to make the most of World Retina Day. The Cape of Good Hope Branch staged a successful golf day and thanks to the generous sponsorship of BP, raised R8000 on the day.

The Free State Branch held a very novel Bikers Poker Run and raised a fantastic R8000.

Gauteng Branch shook tins at Sandton City and raised a record amount of R5400 (for one centre). They also hosted a dance on World Retina Day which raised an additional R6000. An awareness table was manned at the Pimville Shopping Centre bringing much needed awareness to the Soweto area.

Natal Coastal Branch gave talks to optometrists and various community groups.

North Gauteng Branch, despite severe personal problems in the Strydom family, organised an excellent radio talk show on Radio Jakaranda, a golf day raising R8000 and an awareness day at Pick 'n Pay, Lynnwood Ridge.

Our newest group, Natal North Coast displayed posters and were featured in their local paper. Natal Inland Branch had 2 collections raising a total of R3600.

Gail Cillie of the East Cape Branch organised a wonderful outreach tour of Eastern Cape towns. Sister Lecia Bartmann, our Genetics Sister from UCT, Ann Metcalf from Low Vision Services in Pretoria and Gail spoke to enthusiastic audiences about retinal degeneration, the gene-tracking project and low vision assistance. The talks were attended by ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, teachers and RD patients. They visited 11 towns in 5 days and took more than 50 blood samples from affected individuals. Grateful thanks to Sister Hilda Balchin for her assistance. The thirst for knowledge was astounding and the Foundation needs to address the need for information in other rural areas. A Walk for Sight and the very successful Pick 'n Pay/RP Night Run were also staged. An exciting play was presented to the senior students of local high schools. The play was staged by drama students and presents the RP message in a simple and understandable way. Gail needs to be commanded for always finding novel and exciting ways of raising awareness of Retinal Degeneration.