Eastgate and Reach for a Dream Grant Little Riley’s wish at the Dino Expo

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 2016

Eastgate Shopping Centre and Reach For A Dream unite to make little Riley Vergne’s wish come true at The Dino Expo. 

Four-year-old Riley, who was diagnosed with a life threatening illness absolutely loves playing with dinosaurs and Lego and has always wanted to see large animatronic dinosaurs. Eastgate Centre Management willingly accepted to grant little Riley’s wish to explore The Dino Expo at Eastgate Shopping Centre on Saturday, 4 June 2016.  Riley will be bringing his older brother, Joshua (six years old) to the Expo. Riley will enjoy the Jurassic Tour, Wits University Original Rock Fossils, Dino Musical Theatre, Dino Fossil Digging Competition, fun at the jumping castle and colouring in with his favourite colours, blue and yellow, at the Dino Colour-in station.

Five children from Tateni Community Care Centre in Mamelodi will be joining little Riley at The Dino Expo at Eastgate Shopping Centre.  

The Reach For A Dream children will be receiving a scrumptious meal at Wichita Spur as well as a Dino gift from the finest toy shop in the world, Hamleys South Africa.  Steven Warner, Wichita Spur Owner, says: “We are proud to be part of such a great initiative and to have the little dreamers enjoy a taste for life at our restaurant”.   Philip Paphitis, CEO of Hamleys South Africa says “We are happy to provide the children with the opportunity to play with their favourite toys.  Most of these children have never received a new toy in their life and this heartfelt gesture will lift their spirits.” 

Takudzwa Madhina, Reach For A Dream Foundation Project Coordinator in Pretoria said: “Reach For A Dream seeks to fulfil the dreams of children faced with life-threatening illnesses.  We thank you, Eastgate, once again for your willingness to assist. We truly appreciate it.”

Tshepo Monnamoroe, Operations Manager of Eastgate Shopping Centre says “We thank all the tenants who are participating in this great initiative to truly make a difference in the lives of our little shoppers”.

The Dino Expo will be entertaining shoppers and tenants until 17 July 2016 on the Ground Level, near Entrance 3.  The Dino Expo will open until 26 June on weekends only (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from 10am to 4pm, and from 28 June to 17 July 2016 from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays) from 10am to 4pm.  To avoid disappointment, book your Dino experience at Computicket, www.thedinoexpo.com or call 011 040 0884. Terms and Conditions apply. Monnamoroe says, “The Dino Expo has been well-supported over the past two months and we look forward to enhancing the edutainment offering by providing a fun experience for the whole family over the June/July school holidays”. 

For more information and to keep up with Eastgate Shopping Centre’s latest news, stylish trends, promotions and events, visit Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, Instagram and www.eastgateshops.com.  About the Reach For A Dream Foundation Reach For  A Dream fulfills the dreams of children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have been diagnosed as having a life-threatening illness by a medical practitioner. We do not discriminate based on race, culture, financial status or any other factor. Each child living with a life-threatening illness is given a chance to dream. Reach For A Dream believes that no child should live without hope. Childhood can be the most magical phase of the human existence, filled with dreams, aspirations and most of all… fun! For children who have been diagnosed as having a life-threatening illness, the magic of childhood may be lost in the emotional, physical and financial strain of dealing with their illness. Reach For A Dream tries to alleviate some of this strain (which often affects the whole family), by creating a different environment for the child – one that is not focused on her/ his illness. We would like our children to find their laughter again and therein find the strength to live beyond their illnesses.

About Eastgate Shopping Centre Eastgate Shopping Centre is owned by Liberty Property Portfolio, one of South Africa’s top commercial real estate businesses, and is managed by JHI Retail (Pty) Ltd. Since 1979, Eastgate Shopping Centre has evolved into a prominent retail Centre and retains its world-class reputation as a Super-Regional Shopping Centre in the eastern suburbs of Johannesburg.   Eastgate Shopping Centre is recognised as a retail-leader in branded fashion trends and is known for having something for everyone. Eastgate Shopping Centre is the shopping and lifestyle hub with a prestigiously diverse Tenant offering with over 300 stores.  Ends/ [] Media release issued by DTM SA on behalf of EASTGATE SHOPPING CENTRE.  For press assistance contact Karen du Toit on +27 21 418 0772 (Cape Town) or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For further information on DTM SA visit www.dtmsa.co.za