Gallery Update Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Former rugby player Ollie Terblanche is not giving up on life. The rugby injury in 2015 that left him paralysed, is not getting him down. Rather, he is always mounting higher above his circumstances, and is now embarking on a whole new venture when he officially launches his own personalised coffee brand, Rise Coffee Co here in George.

It will be hosted at Spar Wellington Street on Friday 6 September at 18:00 at their premises.

The name of the coffee is loaded with meaning. "It is a coffee with a purpose. The name signifies rising above your circumstances, but also simply being able to get up in the morning and have a cup of good, strong coffee," says an excited Ollie. Well wishes from rugby players from all over have been streaming in on the eve of the launch.

Ollie has inspired people everywhere over the past four years with his strong faith and miraculous recovery, and an unquenchable desire to "rise" and walk again - to be able one day to carry his children in his arms. 

His dedicated wife, Chanel is alongside her husband in this new mission and is as supportive as she has been from the beginning of his journey to recovery. Ollie hopes to do more than establish a business to support himself and his family. "My purpose is bigger. I want to give back to the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players' Fund and in so doing, help other players too who are in the same boat as I."

The fund is the official charity of the Springboks. It provides support to South African rugby players who have sustained serious, life-changing injuries. For each retail packet of Rise Coffee sold, R2 will go towards the fund.

Ollie developed a great passion for coffee in the years following his injury. It provided some comfort during extremely trying times. To generate an income, he has been marketing coffee and coffee machines, but a whole new possibility dawned in May this year when Tanya and Andre Prins, owners of the established local Root Coffee brand, offered Ollie the opportunity to start his own personalised coffee label. Tanya told the George Herald that the business idea was born when Ollie arrived at their coffee shop to do some marketing. Root will be roasting and packaging the coffee. The Prins couple are also showing Ollie the ropes of the trade as he moves forward. "We are excited to be part of his journey," says Tanya.

The brand will be sold to retail shops in the Garden Route and certain franchises nationally, restaurants, coffee shops, guest houses and SA rugby unions, but can also be bought online. Ollie is also able to include Jura coffee machines in his offer to clients. These smaller coffee machines are ideal for domestic and small business use. Ollie will also do direct sales to the public.

Click here for a photo gallery.

There are three ways that the public can contribute: Towards startup costs for Ollie's business, towards his stem cell transplants (one transplant costs R60 000), and towards the Players' Fund.

Watch a video below:

Says Ollie, "My dream is to grow my business by living out my love for coffee, financially supporting my family, and to support others like me. I will always love rugby and am passionate about investing back into the lives of others. I would like to thank each and everyone from my heart who has been part of this new journey so far."

Two coffee blends will on offer under the Rise Coffee label: The Hero is a medium roast blend and The Brave a medium to darker roast blend.

His most recent stem cell transplant was last week and he and Chanel are hoping for more improvement in his condition. After his previous transplant he regained the use of two abdominal muscles, which meant that certain movements and sitting up became easier.

Contact Ollie on 081 391 9794 or send him e-mail to ollie@risecoffeeco.co.za or visit www.risecoffeeco.co.za for more information.

The name, Rise Coffee, signifies a rising above difficult circumstances.