The two communities may be separated by about 1 100km, but this could not stop residents in Bedfordview and Edenvale from opening their hearts to those affected by the Knysna fires.
On Thursday morning last week, the NEWS took to social media in an effort to help spread Edenvale resident Nic Bruchhausen’s plea for donations to assist those affected.
The NEWS’ office in Greenstone Crescent Shopping Centre was identified as a donation drop off point for the initiative and within the hour, donations started pouring in.
Also read: Photo Gallery: Edenvale and Bedfordview communities come together to support #Knysna
Residents headed the call to assist the Knysna and Plettenberg Bay residents who were evacuated to safe areas as the fires raged out of control along the Garden Route.
In 24 hours, the community delivered eight tonnes of necessities to the NEWS’ office.
The first of the donations left the office with Brunchhausen on Friday morning, with a bakkie loaded to the brim with essential items including blankets, water, milk and energy drinks.
These were distributed to residents in dire need, as well as firefighters, who had worked around the clock to contain the fires.
A further two, four tonne trucks sponsored by CargoWorks, left the NEWS’ office with donations from residents during the day.
Transport company CargoWorks also donated the use of a 30 tonne truck for donations from residents to be transported to Knysna.
Tonnes of donations
“The donations dropped off at the NEWS on Thursday increased significantly as people took advantage of the newsroom’s extended hours to allow donors to drop off goods after work hours,” said the NEWS’ editor, Marietta Lombard.
Also read: UPDATE: #KnysnaDisasterRelief donations pour in
“By 6pm we realised the initial plan to transport goods with double cab bakkies and a trailer would be insufficient. We urgently needed a truck.
“We were still in the process of arranging a truck from Caxton East Rand and South head office when our community members, Steve and Robyn Johnston, got Doug Driver and CargoWorks on board.
“The Edenvale and Bedfordview communities’ donations were transported via two, four ton trucks from our office to the CargoWorks site where it was loaded onto pallets, wrapped to waterproof the donations and from there, transported via a 30 ton truck to George where Steve Snyman, the coordinator for the Knysna relief efforts, awaited the truck’s arrival.”
“The truck’s arrival was expected to be late Monday night which worked in our favour as it helped the teams that side to better accommodate the Bedfordview and Edenvale donations’ arrival after the weekend rush.
“Fortunately Nic arrived with much needed water, energy drinks and fruit in Knysna in the early hours of Saturday morning and the communities’ donations of non-perishable goods, water, clothing, linen, nappies and much more will be invaluable in weeks to come for those affected by the fires.
Watch the video here: To Knysna – With Love #KnysnaFireRelief
“Initial plans were to transport to Knysna but it soon became clear over the weekend that Knysna was difficult to access. CargoWorks kindly agreed to take the goods to George instead and with Snyman facilitating relief efforts from George, the Edenvale and Bedfordview communities’ donations are sure to reach those affected by this disaster,” said Lombard.
“I am redirecting all disaster relief supplies through the Eden Lions situated at the train [Outeniqua Transport] Museum in George. We are ensuring that everything is sorted and then distributed to specific needs,” Snyman told the NEWS on Sunday.
“We thank each and every person, organisation and business who donated towards the relief effort.
“The Bedfordview and Edenvale communities’ generous response shows we are so much stronger when we work together.
“We can identify our goals and easily achieve those by simply putting our heads together,” said Lombard.
While it is impossible for the NEWS to thank each person who donated goods and their time, several people have stood out.
The NEWS would like to thank Bedfordview resident, Doug Driver and his business partner Sckalk Burger from CargoWorks, who kindly donated the use of their vehicles.
Special thanks go to community volunteers Steve Johnston, who put the NEWS in contact with CargoWorks, and retired firefighter Graham Pass, for his co-ordination during the process of packing and organising.
Both Johnston and Pass were at the NEWS’ office on Thursday and Friday to assist with the sorting of donations and loading of trucks.
Watch the video here: To Knysna – With Love #KnysnaFireRelief
There were more memorable donations and contributions made especially by charity organisations, Child Welfare SA – Edenvale and Avril Elizabeth Home.
Edenglen High School donated beautifully packed winter hampers, which consisted of a blanket, beanie, gloves and noodles, and Security Warehouse in Greenstone Crescent Shopping Centre assisted the NEWS with receiving, organising and packing the donated goods.
“It took one person, in this case Nic [Brunchhausen], to get up and say, ‘I will help’. This one man’s decision brought hundreds and ultimately thousands of people together to say, ‘We can and will help’.
“The guys from CargoWorks were phenomenal in getting on board Thursday night and ensuring the transport of donations. Ultimately these precious donations would mean nothing if not received by those in need,” said Lombard.
Nic thanked the volunteer firefighters and volunteers who tackled the 1 100km drive to assist in fighting fires and the volunteers coming to the aid of those affected by the fires.
“From a personal point of view, I wish to thank my mom Dawn for transporting all the donations that resulted from my plea and then my wife, Crystal and my sons, Hayden, Callum and my little Tyler. They always understand my need to assist in these types of situations – in this case, travelling 1 100km to volunteer in fighting fires.
“I also thank Rob Sargent, my fellow volunteer firefighter, who travelled to Knysna with me. I also thank and commend each and every Gauteng volunteer and volunteer firefighter who generously came down to assist,” said Bruchhausen, while still in Knysna on Monday.
Residents of the Garden Route were evacuated and some admitted to hospital after raging fires hit Knysna and the surrounding areas on Wednesday last week.
Twenty-one emergency centres were set up to help those evacuated from their homes.
The NEWS reminds readers that donations can still be dropped off at our office.
RNA Distribution (owned by CTP Caxton and incorporating Magscene) will be transporting goods every Friday until such time as the request for donations is called off.
Also read: Technical teams to restore power as Knysna fires are mostly contained
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