Overstrand Cancer Walk Saturday

10 October 2026

Overstrand Hospice, Hermanus to Pearly Beach Angling Club

My brother Laurentius and I are identical twins who retired from the South African Police Service after 33 years. We have
always had a love for walking, gardening and touring South Africa and Namibia. We also believe strongly in giving
something back to the community, and that is exactly what we set out to do.

Cancer brings people together. There is no one who does not know someone who has been touched by this disease. And
when someone we love receives this news, it reminds us just how precious life is. Some overcome cancer and go into
remission, and then there are the brave fighters who battle on and sadly lose that fight, and as they say here in the
Strandveld, go to rest beneath their blanket of sand.

Our inspiration began closer to home. Our neighbour in Riviersonderend, Tersia, fought this cruel disease with great
courage. Her bravery moved us deeply and spurred us on to do something meaningful for a cause that touches so many
lives.

When I read about the Lighthouse to Lighthouse walk for the Overstrand, I was very interested, only to find out it was for
women only. So we arranged our own walk. Having completed the Namibia 100 kilometres, Orania 100 kilometres and
more than 70 Vasbyt walks over the years, taking on a long walk for a good cause felt like a natural fit.

In 2025, we walked 104 kilometres over 4 days from the L’Agulhas Lighthouse to Dangerpoint, Gansbaai

Our route over the 4 days was as follows:

L’Agulhas, Brandfontein, Rietfontein, Die Dam, Buffelsjag, Pearly Beach, Franskraal, Uilkraal, Kleinbaai to Dangerpoint
Lighthouse, Gansbaai.

Surely one of the most unspoilt stretches of our coastline, where more than 100 ships have been wrecked. The scenery
was breathtaking and the people we met along the way were just as special.

Donations came in from everywhere, large and small, and every contribution was deeply appreciated. We managed to
raise just over R60 000 for the Overstrand Hospice Hermanus, all thanks to kind and generous people. There were donors
from America, Australia, Namibia, Angola and right across South Africa. It was a tremendous source of encouragement,
especially because so many people offered moral support and accommodation along the route.

We also had the privilege of taking part in the Pearly Beach Cancer Walk for the second time, a wonderful community initiative and proof of what is possible when a town stands together for its people.

This experience has inspired us to take on something again this year. On 10 October 2026 we set off at 05:00 from the Hospice in Hermanus and will walk for 12 hours straight. We are aiming for the Pearly Beach Angling Club, approximately 65 to 70 kilometres away, but we will see how far we get in those 12 hours.

We ask the community of the Overstrand and Overberg to support us. Any donation, no matter how small, will be gratefully received. Every drop in the bucket helps.

There is always hope, and where there is hope, there is life. Thank you for that, Heavenly Father.

Thank you
Bau en Lau

Get in touch with us at:
Bouwer Schoonwinkel: 084 206 6201
Laurentius Schoonwinkel: 083 320 4283
lau.bouwer@gmail.com