Round Table raises over R200 000 for KZN relief

Round Table Golden East 181 members organised an initiative following the looting that took place in KwaZulu-Natal, raising R232 919 to assist many organisations that were negatively impacted.

The members were Gareth van Wyk, Leigh Micheal, Clyde Lewis, Rudi Craps, Rob Crosbie, Sean Dunn and Wesley Kloppers.

Gareth came up with the initiative after receiving a message from his pilot friend.

“She informed me of an airline that was offering charters to KwaZulu-Natal to ferry food and goods to those affected by the riots for free,” he explained.

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“I only saw these messages about three hours after she sent them and coincidently I saw a post on the devastation that was unfolding at the same time as I lay in a warm and comfortable bed.

“The post showed babies walking among rubbish without diapers due to lack of financial resources and availability. I have seen this type of image before, growing up in Nairobi, which had some of the largest informal settlements in the world.

“However, looking at my little boy falling asleep I couldn’t help but get emotional. Instead of getting caught up in the emotion, I reacted. I messaged the pilot to arrange a meeting in the morning and what would follow, perhaps none of us had imagined.”

Gareth had envisioned a small community project to send diapers and formula to those in need.

“With all protocols observed by The Table, a motion was passed and we hit the ground running and managing the fundraiser initiative,” he said.

“We reached out to the people in need all over KwaZulu-Natal with a sponsored Fight4sight flight and two super-link trucks, Citilec Electrical and Lighting Wholesalers.”
Gareth, Leigh and Rudi took time off from work to ensure the project was given the attention it urgently required.

“Shout out to the owners of Wired-IT Specialists, Ilanga Signs and Tarsus – Cloud on Demand for allowing the gents time off work to see the project through,” he said.

The initial aim was purely driven towards fund-raising; however, Tablers and the public donated tinned foods, medical supplies and a few personal boxes with dietary foods that their family members in KZN could not buy for themselves.

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“The initial aim was R100 000 but in the week of fundraising, we hit R232 919,” he said excitedly.

“Round Table Southern Africa coordinated the initiative while Round Table Golden East 181 coordinated the fundraising, purchasing and collecting the goods in Gauteng. Matthew Helm from Round Table Natal North Coast area received and dispatched the goods in Durban to all the beneficiaries that had reached out for help.

“Over five tons of food and supplies were transported down from Johannesburg to Ballito and Margate.

“Some of the charities and places we assisted were Upper Highway Baby Home, Tholuthando Children’s Home, Little Lambs, Westville Baby House and Hope House.”
Gareth and other organisers thanked all the companies that were involved in making the project possible.

“Thank you so much to Wired-IT Specialists, Ilanga Signs, Tarsus – Cloud on Demand, Fight4sight and Citilec Electrical and Lighting Wholesalers. You guys were the companies that had a large impact on the project. Thank you to all our friends from Round Table who donated very generously.

“A heartfelt thank you to the greater communities around the country and in the UK and India that supported this initiative.

“Round Table is but a vessel and it’s our communities that fuel our projects.”

If there are any NPOs in need of support, they can reach out to the Round Table through its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/goldeneast181.