The inspiring Little Optimist
The East Coast Summer Movie Tour – The Little Optimist, was presented by Greg Bertish at the Surf Cafe on the 5th March 2019.
The evening turned out to be a huge success! Surf Cafe was filled to the brim, as parents and children eagerly settled into an evening of tears, laughter and plenty of goodwill.
After the movie, Greg auctioned off some goods in aid of his charities and gifts were freely given to every child. Of course, the children were tremendously inspired by the Little Optimist Hero!
Greg Bertish is an NSRI ambassador who spends his precious time traveling along the coast, presenting a series of fundraising movie nights in support of NSRI and his trust, which funds many children’s charities.
His movie is an internationally acclaimed documentary, covering his 200km trip sailing a little dinghy (an optimist) around Cape Point to Langebaan. Greg is an outstanding motivational speaker and his message to have a dream, set goals and believe in oneself resonates with adults and children alike.
“I have found my calling – to help and inspire sick and needy kids and people. From the marginalized, insecure and bullied child, to the very sick and the needy. We help them to believe in something, to believe in themselves and help find them passion and a dream to live for!” – Greg Bertish.
In 2001, Greg was diagnosed with a rare tropical bacterium disease and landed up in a hospital for over 200 days, where he underwent two open heart surgeries.
As a bullied, insecure and unhappy child, Greg has always been passionate about sailing and his Optimist Dinghy has been his escape from reality. With the power of positive thinking and the strength of the human spirit, he managed to piece back his life and set out to conquer his dreams.
In April 2016, he sailed an 8-foot Children’s Optimist dinghy around the Cape of Storms. He crossed False Bay, rounded Cape Point and headed for Langebaan Lagoon on the wild West Coast. His 200-kilometre journey matched the 200 days he spent in the hospital.
Greg reached his goals by not only surviving the journey but raised R300 000 towards a new Intensive Care Unit at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
He has also written a delightful children’s book about a little believer with a HUGE heart, teaching kids that being small, sick, poor or different is OK. He proves that they too can survive and thrive. His story aims to inspire kids and the world to believe in themselves, get better, be better and follow their passions and dreams.
As well, Greg is a big wave surfer, a South African Champion Lifesaver and Stand Up Paddle Boarder. He is also an ambassador for the Children’s Hospital Trust and the National Sea Rescue Institute, and founder of the Shark Spotter Program. To date, he has helped raise over R2 million for these charities.
Founder and Ambassador of The Little Optimist Trust, a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) that aims to inspire kids to SURVIVE and THRIVE – inspirational speaker, Greg Bertish is definitely worth listening to.
For more information on his tours or to donate to a great cause visit thelittleoptimist.org or email.