Street Lit Durban gets new wheels
Through the great generosity of numerous donors, Illa Thompson is able to purchase a replacement car, but on top of that, through the generous donation of an individual, Street Lit has their own car, which will be a great asset to assist the homeless.
THE new year started off with a bang for well-known Durban publicist Illa Thompson and the non-profit organisation, Street Lit Durban, after she recently secured herself a new car. Additionally, a generous donation helped the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) procure a car for the Street Lit Durban project.
This stroke of good fortune comes after Thompson’s 21-year-old, bright blue Ford Laser was stolen near the Durban Playhouse. It was not only Thompson’s personal vehicle, but since she took over running the Denis Hurley Centre’s Street Lit project, her ‘blue bullet’ had also been the car the Street Lit team relied on for collecting books, delivering booksellers to outlying venues and picking up unsold books, tables or banners.
“The car being so old, the insurance was not going to provide a suitable replacement. As well as that being a great personal inconvenience, the loss of Illa’s car also severely compromised our Street Lit bookselling since she is also the project co-ordinator,” said Denis Hurley Centre director Raymond Perrier.
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We were worried about how she would manage personally but also how we would transport our booksellers, tables and books to various events and also collect boxes of donated books from around town. But, in our experience, every problem is an opportunity, and as one door closes, two more seem to open.
“We are pleased to report that on the personal front, a crowdfunding appeal by her many friends around the world means that Illa will be sorted with a nippy run-around car for herself. But this is not nearly big enough for supporting the book project,” said Perrier.
Luckily, a knight in shining armour by the name of John Mulgrew, from the DESign Group, came to the rescue. “Mulgrew made a substantial donation and connected us with CMH, the Renault dealer in Ballito. As a result of this, the DHC now owns a shiny Red Duster as well as having a cash injection to support the project into 2024. What is more, CMH arranged for the Red Duster to be beautifully branded with the DHC and Street Lit logos, not only making it instantly recognisable but also (we pray) harder to steal,” said Perrier.
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“I am seldom speechless – but the incredible outpouring of care, concern and support from so many amazing people has rendered me totally at a loss for words. Who would have thought that the theft of a little, old, faithful blue car would create such an avalanche of love and goodwill? Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Back-a-Buddy campaign to help me to get a new car. Being on the receiving end of such overwhelming grace and generosity has been quite the most extraordinary experience. I am beyond delighted and totally overawed. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” said the grateful Illa Thompson.
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