For most Cape Town athletes, a finisher’s medal is a badge of honour—a physical reminder of early mornings on Chapman’s Peak or the gruelling winds of the Cape Town Cycle Tour. But for many, those medals eventually find their way into dusty shoeboxes or cluttered garage shelves, forgotten amidst the pursuit of the next personal best.
This January, a heart-warming initiative called Bling for Bravery is giving these tokens of achievement a profound second life. Founded by local resident Dean Dicks, the project repurposes donated race medals and drapes them around the necks of “little warriors”—children undergoing intensive orthopaedic surgeries and long-term medical treatments in South African hospitals.
A New Kind of Podium
The concept is simple but transformative: the dedication required to train for a marathon mirrors the resilience a child needs when facing surgery or a daunting recovery. By gifting a medal, an athlete acknowledges that the child’s battle is every bit as heroic as a 42km run.
“We have witnessed how a single medal can make a child overwhelmingly happy and confident after surgery,” says founder Dean Dicks. “Our miles on the road put smiles on these kids’ faces. A small medal memento for their brave achievement is something they will remember and cherish forever.”
To date, Bling for Bravery has distributed over 3,500 medals, often accompanied by books, teddy bears, and stationery, creating a “bravery kit” that helps normalise the hospital environment.
Where the Magic Happens
The impact is felt most deeply within the wards of our local specialist facilities. Bling for Bravery works closely with The Little Optimist Trust to bring these rewards to young patients at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Maitland Cottage Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital, and Tygerberg Hospital.
While the initiative has gained massive traction in Gauteng this month with a flurry of new drop-off points, its heart remains firmly rooted in the Cape. For those looking to declutter their homes and “recycle” their triumphs, the community has rallied to make donating easy.
Join the Movement: January 2026 Drive
The current medal drive is running until 30 January 2026. Local coordinators Stacy Henning and Cassy Barnes have set an ambitious target to reach even more children this year. William from PostNet Sandton City has even stepped up to courier medals for free to the central distribution point, ensuring distance is no barrier to kindness.
How to Help:
Cape Town Drop-off: Montebello Design Centre, 31 Newlands Ave, Newlands
National Drop-offs: Crunch Fitness (Benoni), Cycle Lab (Fourways), or Run-A-Way Sport (Pretoria).
Contact: Message Bling for Bravery on social media (@bling_for_bravery) or contact Cass at 072 261 2727.
More Than Just Metal
At the end of the day, these medals represent a powerful exchange of strength. For the athlete, the race is over, and the medal is a memory of a morning well spent. But for a “little warrior” waking up in a hospital ward, that same piece of metal is a shield. It is proof that they are recognised, that they are strong, and that they are not fighting their battles alone.
As we lace up our shoes for the next Cape Town event, perhaps we can run with a little extra purpose—knowing that the finish line isn’t just for us, but for a child waiting to be crowned a champion in their own right. Whether you have one medal or one hundred, your donation ensures that while these kids are facing their toughest miles, they have the “bling” to prove they are winning.
