Casual Day reaches R23-million milestone
A massive R23.5-million was raised nationally during Casual Day.
The fundraising project has seen the South African public open its hearts to people with disabilities for almost two decades.
Casual Day celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and will be pulling out all the stops with its Bring out the Bling theme.
The theme was recently announced at the project’s annual awards ceremony.
Sponsored by The Edcon Group, Casual Day is the flagship project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA), which is based in Edenvale.
NCPPDSA this year also celebrates 75 years of service to the community of people with disabilities. Over the past 19 years, Casual Day has helped the NCPPDSA fulfil its mandate of creating a barrier-free, fully accessible and inclusive society for all, raising almost R195-million.
Two of the top 10 organisations which raised the most money in Gauteng where the Gauteng Provincial Association for Persons with Disabilities in Fordsburg with branches in Sebokeng, Tembisa, Orange Farm, Tshwane and Ormonde, which raised R246 645 and the NCPPDSA in Edenvale, which raised R202 428.
Retina SA, based in Edenglen and Down Syndrome South Africa based in Bruma, each raised over R50 000 for the project.
The national project is run from the Casual Day offices which it shares with the NCPPDSA Edenvale. Stickers, hats, caps and Casual Days shirts will be available from the end of April for this year’s campaign.
“To celebrate Casual Day’s 20th birthday, we are inspiring South Africans to dress up, not down. We hope that organisations and corporations will start planning their campaign soon as it takes the entire year for the Casual Day train to roll out,” said project leader, Ms Celeste Vinassa.
“The theme is Bring out the Bling and the colour for the year is Dazzle Blue, a dramatic colour relating to the world of theatre. So our message to you, is to rustle up a little razzle dazzle. Casual Day is all about fantasy and dressing up in things you can find around the house. Be creative with glitter, fabric, shiny paper, sequins or just wear your sticker and a posh casual attitude,” she added.
Visit www.casualday.co.za for more information on how to participate in Casual Day.
