WATCH: Salvation Foundation keeps the needy warm this winter
The donation will be handed over to the needy people in the Brackendowns and Brackenhurst area.
The BMW Kathorus Club went out on July 3 to support the Salvation Foundation by collecting blankets for its charity run at Brackendowns.
The club handed over blankets, which will be combined with other donations that the foundation received from friends and family members.
The founder of Salvation Foundation, Ryan Ellapan (22), said they are happy to receive the donations, especially the blankets, which will keep underprivileged families warm this winter.
“The organisation has other projects, like the feeding scheme and clothing donations but for now, we only wanted blankets.
“It is winter and when you drive at night you see people sleeping on the side of the road, cold, so we thought of donating blankets because it is something they can keep for the rest of the winter season,” said Ellapan.
He said distributions will be done in Brackendowns and Brackenhurst.
Ellapan said he started the foundation in January this year after overcoming health challenges.
“I was very sickly from the age of 12 and throughout high school I had a chronic liver disease. I even travelled to India three years ago as I was on the verge of dying,” said Ellapan.
“At that time I was still a Hindu, so one day I went to church with my cousin and the pastor called me out and told me everything that was wrong with me. He did not know me but he told me everything that was wrong, from my blood levels, conditions of my liver and everything else,” he added.
Watch: The founder of Salvation Foundation, Ryan Ellapan (22), surprises the BMW Kathorus Club with a food donation for its upcoming charity drive.
“From that day, my life changed. I have never been to a hospital and I now serve in the church. I was in a band and I do outreach initiatives.
“When you are on your death bed, you see how precious life is because it can be taken at any moment. So, when I see anyone in need, I help them however I can. That is what inspired me to start the foundation,” said Ellapan.
The Salvation Foundation also handed food donations to BMW Kathorus Club ahead of its charity drive expected to be held on July 10.
The founder of BMW Kathorus Club, Sphiwe Mdaka, said when he met Ellapan he could see that they share the same vision and that is why the club always supports the foundation whenever they give to the community.
