SINCE the Knysna fires and a subsequent call for support from the 1st Hillcrest Scout and Guide Group for donations, help in all forms, shapes and sizes has flooded in from Upper Highway residents.
The fire, which destroyed large sections of Knysna and surrounding areas, including Plettenberg Bay, has left five dead and thousands of residents displaced.
South Africans have since rallied together to help those affected in several ways.Wanting to assist the Knysna residents in a practical way, 1st Hillcrest Scout and Guide leader, Anthea Rawlins set up a collection point at the 1st Hillcrest Scout Hall in Shortlands Avenue. Her call went out on social media and the response from the Upper Highway community was overwhelming.
“There was an endless stream of people dropping things off,” said Rawlins. “This soon became a big operation and we had to separate and sort everything into boxes that needed to be weighed and marked.”
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When a follow-up call went out for volunteers to come and help with sorting and packing the donated goods, it was once again heart-warming to see complete strangers arriving to assist. Donations included clothes, blankets, bottled water, time and skills of residents.
“It was a week of solid work from early mornings until after eight in the evenings,” said Anthea. “Eventually we packed and sealed all of the boxes in time for them to be dispatched to Knysna.
“We got in touch with Gift of the Givers and a 12-ton truck arrived to load up the 800 boxes.
“I would like to acknowledge all the wonderful support from the Highway community who responded and the difference that their assistance will make towards the destitute in Knysna,” she said.
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