Teddy Trail : Collection of cuddly companions for critically ill kids spending Christmas in hospital.

TEDDY TRAIL WALK OF HOPE

Walking for awareness. Holding onto hope.

Every day, critically ill children face journeys they never thought they would — hospital corridors instead of playgrounds, procedures instead of adventures, and uncertainty instead of routine.

On 24 October 2026, we invite families to join Naleli Foundation for our 5.6km Teddy Trail for Hope— a morning of walking, remembering, playing and raising awareness for the brave little warriors spending their days in hospital.

Through Naleli Foundation’s B.E.A.R Initiative — Bears Encourage Awareness and Resonance — we gift teddy bears to critically ill children, providing a cuddly companion during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

A teddy cannot take away the pain, but it can offer comfort, courage and companionship.

This event supports our weekly hospital outreach programme and serves as a major fundraiser for our Sunninghill Santa Initiative.

This Christmas, we hope to place over 1,500 brand-new teddy bears beside children in more than 20 hospitals, ensuring that every child wakes up to a gift on Christmas morning.

Because if they can’t be home for Christmas, we’ll bring Christmas to them.

Event Details

Date: 24 October 2026

Venue: The Parks, Benoni

Start: Staggered between 9:00am until 10:00am

Entry: R56 per person

Distance: 5.6km

There is no rush to all set off together. Arrive, register and begin your Teddy Trail anytime between 9:00am and 10:00am.

Online pre-orders close on 21 October.

Tickets for the additional activities along the trail can be pre-purchased online to avoid queues or bought from the reception/ticket counter on the day before you start your walk.

A card machine will be available for activity tickets, purchases and additional donations.

Bring A Teddy Along

Bring your favourite teddy bear from home and let them join you for the adventure!

We’ll also have collection bins available for preloved teddy donations, so if you have a teddy at home ready to bring comfort to another little person, we would love to receive them.

BuddyBundle Stall - R500 per set

Our Naleli BuddyBundle Stall will be waiting for you right at the start!

Pop past before you set off and browse our special BuddyBundles. You may even find a brand-new teddy friend to take on the Teddy Trail with you.

There’s something rather lovely about a teddy’s very first adventure being a walk dedicated to bringing hope and comfort to other children.

So bring your faithful old friend from home — or meet a new little buddy on the day and take them walking with you.

Every purchase helps Naleli to continue bringing comfort and care to critically ill children spending time in hospital.

Why A Teddy?

To many of us, a teddy is simply a toy.

To a child in hospital, it can be something entirely different.

A friend during a lonely night.

A familiar face before surgery.

Something to squeeze during painful procedures.

Something to hold when family cannot be there.

A reminder that somebody cares.

At Naleli, we have witnessed firsthand how a teddy bear can transform tears into a smile.

That is why we walk.

What’s Waiting Along The Trail?

The walk itself is only part of the adventure!

At registration, each participant will receive their own Teddy Trail map, marking out the route and helping you find your way.

As you walk, keep your eyes open for our Star Sticker Stations.

At each marked 1km point, stop and add a star to your map before continuing your journey.

And, of course, we had to add a little Naleli rainbow fun to it…

Each of the 7 stars will be a different colour — another little piece of the rainbow unfolding as you walk.

Seven stops. Seven stars. Seven colours. One beautiful rainbow of hope.

And while you’re searching for those stars, there will be some very special little experiences waiting along the way…

Family Photo - R30 a ticket - Available upon arrival from Ticket Office

Gather your people, grab your teddy and stop for a special family photograph.

A little snapshot of who walked beside you on this journey and a memory to take home from the day.

Face Painting - R30 a ticket - Available upon arrival from Ticket Office

Add a little colour to your Teddy Trail adventure!

Stop along the way, choose something fun and let our face painters work their magic before heading off in search of your next star.

Teddy Bear Hospital - R300 per admission - Available upon arrival from Ticket Office

This one holds a particularly special sentiment.

Most children have that one teddy.

The one that has been loved almost beyond recognition. The one they simply need beside them. The one whose stuffing has flattened from thousands of cuddles, whose seam has opened or whose ear needs just one more little stitch.

Bring that precious bear along and officially admit them to our Teddy Bear Hospital.

Our Teddy Doctors, dressed in their white coats and armed with their stethoscopes, will give Teddy a little screening, record their details and place their very own hospital ID band around their wrist or paw before they are officially admitted.

After the event, Teddy will come home with us for some Naleli TLC — cleaning, stuffing, stitching and repairs where needed — before being reunited with their little person.

Because the bears that look the most worn are simply the ones that have been loved the most.

Tribal Blu Obstacle Course - R30 a ticket - Available upon arrival from Ticket Office

Time for a little adventure!

Tribal Blu will be bringing an obstacle course for the children to enjoy along the trail — a chance to balance, scramble and have some fun before heading off towards the next stop. We can’t wait to hear the giggles!

Tree Of Hope - R10 a ribbon - Available upon arrival from Ticket Office

One of the most meaningful moments of our trail.

Choose a coloured ribbon that holds a special meaning for you or your family and add it to our Tree of Hope.

Each colour will carry its own sentiment — representing the people, memories, prayers and hopes we carry with us.

One ribbon may seem small, but as family after family adds theirs, the tree will slowly transform into a beautiful rainbow of love, remembrance, friendship, courage, gratitude and hope.

A reminder that every person walking the trail carries a story.

Enjoy Your Journey

Take your time.

Find your stars.

Stop for the photograph.

Get your face painted.

Cheer the children through the obstacle course.

Admit that very well-loved teddy to hospital.

Hang your ribbon on the Tree of Hope.

Walk together.

Laugh together.

Make memories.

This walk isn’t about how quickly you reach the finish line — it’s about everything you experience along the way.

Activity tickets can be pre-purchased online until 21 October to avoid queues, or purchased from the reception/ticket counter on the day before starting your walk.

Simply hand your ticket in at each activity station and enjoy the fun.

Food And Refreshments

The Parks offers a variety of meals, pizzas, coffees and milkshakes.

We recommend booking a table if you would like to stay afterwards, put your feet up and enjoy something together after completing the trail.

5.6km Walk Dedicated To Noah Gabriel David Fink

A precious heart warrior who underwent open-heart surgery at just four days old and bravely fought through numerous complications and major surgeries during his 56-day journey. We fought faithfully by your side, and now live faithfully knowing you are healed in Heaven. You continue to inspire every step we take. Forever loved.

Walking for children who can’t, carrying hope for children who need it.

PLEASE NOTE:

The Teddy Trail follows natural, uneven terrain and is unfortunately not pram or wheelchair friendly.

Naleli Foundation is a registered NPC: 2024/236864/08

B-BBEE Level 1 Certified

Contact: 082 814 5711

Email: [email protected]