Overwhelming response to collection drive for victims of #KnysnaFire
FOURWAYS – Fourways residents have opened their hearts and donated generously to those affected by fires in the Western Cape.
The Fourways community has come out in force to provide aid to those affected by the fire that raged in Knysna.
“We came up with the idea to start a collection once it became clear what sort of tragedy Knysna was experiencing,” explained Jean Berdou of Future City Fourways (FCF).
The Western Cape town and surrounds have been ravaged by fires which broke out on Wednesday, 7 June.
According to Eyewitness News, some 10 000 people have displaced by the disaster and at least nine deaths have been confirmed, including that of a firefighter who had sustained burns over 70 per cent of his body while battling the blaze.
READ: HELP: Drop off donations for the #KnysnaFire relief TODAY
Although this is one of the worst tragedies to affect South Africa, it has been an opportunity for the nation to come together to support those affected.
The Fourways Crossing Shopping Centre together with FCF set up collection points where citizens could donate needed items to be sent to the Western Cape such as torches, blankets, clothes, food for both humans and dogs, water and non-perishable foods etc for those in need.
The generosity so far has been astonishing.”Donations have been coming thick and fast,” Berdou continued.
“The first load of donations, about six tonne’s worth, is being flown down this evening [Friday, 9 June]. One local shop donated about one-and-a-half tonnes of clothes for people who have lost everything. At the drop-off point at the Caxton offices, there was so much donated and stored in an office that no one could actually use the room, because there wasn’t enough space.”
READ: Joburg unites for #Knysna and demonstrates what being South African is all about
When asked why people in Johannesburg should help others so far away, Berdou said that it was about being a caring community. “I don’t mean a community in the sense of a local community,” Berdou explained.
“I mean that we as a nation are also a community. Helping the people of Knysna is simply about being a person in society. While politicians may divide, we as South Africans are able to unite in order to help others – and that’s what makes South Africa truly amazing.”
If you would like to support those affected by the Knysna fires, please feel free to drop donations off at the collection bins outside the Pick n Pay store at Fourways Crossing. Another collection point is at the Caxton offices in Craighall, 368 William Nicol Drive.
