WITH more than 100 stalls to browse, it is no wonder that the Winston Park Festive Fundraiser was a well-attended affair.
Sharon Ecob, a Winston Park resident, came up with the idea of a fundraiser as a good way to bring the community together in a festive spirit.
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Ecob approached Allan Dyer and Mandi Rodney for assistance and the very small team of organisers was formed.
“The aim was to raise money for local non-profit organisations (NPO) such as the Winston Park guardians, which runs the security of the Winston Park area, in conjunction with security companies, said Dyer.
The fundraisers reached out to as many local charities and invited them to host a stall at the market, and the response was phenomenal.
On the day, there were stalls there from Winston Park Guardians, Winston Park Pet and Wildlife Rescue, Collie Dog Rescue Centre, CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation, Fulton School for the Deaf, Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust and the South African National Blood Services, as well as local entrepreneurs who sold homemade goods.
“The intention was never to reach a certain size or number of stalls, but was just to have an interesting offering of stalls, different types of foods and activities to make it worth people’s time to come down and then have an interesting time browsing each stall,” said Dyer.
According to Dyer the festive theme was portrayed across the market as prizes were handed to the most festive stands.
The market was also created in an effort to highlight the dire state of the municipal sports field, which has no running water, ablutions or electricity. Dyer said the market could spark a change for the residents to want to utilise the grounds.
“Many people use that field to walk their dogs, exercise, and for children to play outdoors or to learn to ride their bicycles, even in the state that it is. I hope it’s been shown now that more can and should be done with that prime, open space in the middle of such a vibrant Winston Park community,” he concluded.
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