Hospice finds new home
The Highway Hospice staff members, in Pinetown, are thrilled to continue their selfless work at the new and improved premises.
THE Highway Hospice, a local NPO that cares for and supports people who have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses, has announced that the charity shop will be moving to a new premises on 5 Butts Road in Pinetown (off Underwood Road).
Founded in 1982 by Greta Schoeman, the Highway Hospice opened its first charity shop in 1986, in Umgeni Road. The shop was later moved to Pine Street in Pine Parkade where it was operational until 2008. In 2006 the charity shop in Ivy Road was opened. The Hospice also has charity shops in Hillcrest and Sherwood.
According to Sheryll de Jager, the Pinetown shop manager, staff and volunteers have been working at the shop in unfavourable working conditions for the last seven years. “This has been a dream for many years, and it has now become a reality. We have endured heat, numerous break-ins and flooding, so we are ecstatic about being able to work in a cleaner and cooler environment,” said de Jager.
The Pinetown staff was able to purchase the new premises with funds from the hospice’s trust. Construction and restorations are currently being completed, and the new shop will open on Monday 7 April. Residents will be able to donate and buy various items in support of the NPO’s various projects.
The donated goods, which are cleaned and restored by volunteers or staff are one of the hospice’s primary sources of income. Bi-monthly auctions are also hosted by the hospice.
Broken appliances, paper, bottles, plastic, wood or metal can also be dropped off at the shop. The metals are collected from the broken appliances and recycled along with the other traditional recyclable materials.
Funds raised by the hospice are also used to provide support and counselling to relatives of the terminally ill patients. In many cases the patients volunteer at the charity shop to raise funds to support themselves and their families. Additionally, the funds are used to care for a growing number of orphans, vulnerable children as well as child-headed households. Contact Sheryll de Jager on 031 709 2647.
