Top donors honoured

COMMUNITY Chest hosted its annual Top Donor Awards breakfast last Wednesday, to honour its regular donors who help make the work of the Chest possible.

Director, Gordon McDonald, said the awards breakfast was the Chest’s modest way of acknowledging the support of those in need who the Chest helps.

“We require funding to help those in need, and we would achieve very little without the contributions from donors,” he said.

Speaking at the breakfast, runner, Nontuthuko Mashimane spoke about her decision to run the Comrades Marathon to raise funds for Community Chest. Funding from the Comrades Marathon this year amounted to just under R500 000, which has been allocated to Early Childhood Development.

“My journey in sports took a turn for the better when I met Community Chest as a brand ambassador and I am humbled by the work the Chest does in seeking to help communities. During my short journey with Community Chest I have realised how the organisation delivers hope to those who don’t have it and changes lives. Being a brand ambassador has been nothing but a life changing experience, as now I am running for a cause for those in need who can’t run. It’s the reason why I keep coming back to run Comrades for Community Chest,” she said.

Nontuthuko said more runners needed to be encouraged to run for charity as it is doing something for other people, not just yourself.

Chairman, Inben Moodley, said the Community Chest had survived a challenging time over the past year, and had allocated R9.5 million to 83 welfare organisations.

“Challenges are not just monetary. We have the highest unemployment rate since 2003 and the demands on social workers are increasing with the increase in child abuse, violence and prostitution with children. These organisations play a pivotal role in society, and we can’t afford to see them disappear because of resources. Seeing the news that eThekwini Municipality was in excess of R34 million, I think of how many lives that money could’ve touched! Every cent is valued at Community Chest. The future leaders come from the communities we support, and cents become Rands, and Rands help the poor. We can face the challenges with the support we have from people and organisations who support our work,” he said.

The top three corporate donors this year were Gelmar, Spar Group and Dales Brothers, and the top three trusts were Concord Trust, NBS Centenary Trust and Fulton Trust.