Baking cakes in support of Kaws

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Sunshine, clear skies and wide smiles were the order of the day on Saturday 4 March at the Fragrance of Cake event in support of Knysna Animal Welfare Society (Kaws).

The fundraising event was spearheaded by the Brenton-on-Sea community and took place at the Brenton Community Hall, attracting animal lovers with generous hearts from all over.

The event was organised by local event planner Picca de Bruin and her team, Christine Heywood, Gill Hog, Debbie Stanley and Chris Murayayi.

The planning committee succeeded in selling 100 tickets to the event.

Participants were encouraged to bake and donate a cake or donate a perfume. The baked goods entered would later be judged in a competition for the title of Best Baker. Overall, 20 cakes were presented for guests to choose from.

Guests also gave their creativity free rein by decorating a table for the prize of Most Stylish Decorator 2023.

Best Baker was awarded to Prudence McLean for her Light and Lovely Lemon Cake and the award for Most Stylish Decorator 2023 went to Tanya Mans. The two winners were awarded with handcrafted, commemorative plates made by local potter Lesley Etherington.

The star of the day, however, was De Bruin's own pooch Bella. Throughout the proceedings she walked around between the tables, carrying a "beggar box" and charming attendees to donate even more. She raised R1 840. In total, the event raised R20 160, all to go towards Kaws.

The festivities of the day continued with an impromptu cake and flower bouquet auction that raised more funds. With the success of the Fragrance of Cake event and the amount support received from the community, Kaws hopes to make this event an annual one.

Prizes were made available by local businesses L'Opera, Humble Hands, Glow Knysna, Freshline, Arabella Wines, Bloom Fashions, SOCA, Food Lovers Market, Ecozest, Pick n Pay and Beletage on Leisure Isle.

Kaws has upcoming outreach events that the community can get involved in. They will be hosting a sterilisation drive in six designated areas that will run for six weeks, beginning on 15 March, as well as Unchaining, an initiative in which they provide kennels for dog owners in need.

Picca de Bruin with her dog Bella, who was the star fundraiser of the day. Photos: Zoë Fick