Pretoria community to aid Betty’s Bay fire victims
Clothes and donations for residents and animals adversely affected by the fire have been pouring in from surrounding communities.
Donations were collected at the Kruin Animal Clinic. Here are, from left: Anel Conradie, Dr Franza Keyser, Onica Jakob, Magda and Rudi Britz, and Lenise Breytenbach. Photo: Corlia Kruger
Residents in the north of Pretoria launched a project this week to help people and animals left destitute by the destructive fires in Betty’s Bay, Western Cape.
The local angels met in Sinoville at the Kruin Animal Clinic on Thursday, where donations of clothes and goods were gathered.
“This is a matter close to our hearts,” said one of the project leaders, Rudi Britz.
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“The people affected by the recent fires in the Western Cape are left with nothing but the clothes on their back – so this really is the least we can do to try and help.”
Ward 50 councillor Lenise Breytenbach, Dr Franza Keyser, and staff at the veterinary clinic, as well as members of the BMW Motorrad Club Jacaranda, joined in on the project.
Lenise Breytenbach added linen to the donations for Betty’s Bay. Photo: Corlia Kruger
Clothes donated and stored at the animal clinic’s premises were among the offerings to be transported to Betty’s Bay.
Breytenbach, who started her own community project “Feed the need” last year, added 19 crates of baby clothes, linen, and 100 boxes of pasta to the growing heap of donations.
“These donations are sponsored by our Sinoville residents and our care centre Rock of Hope, to help people in need,” said Breytenbach.
“Wherever there is need – even if the need is in the Cape – we as a community must stand together to help where we can.”
Donations were collected at the Kruin Animal Clinic. Here are, from left: Dr Franza Keyser, Lenise Breytenbach, Magda Britz, Anel Conradie, and Onica Jakob. Photo: Corlia Kruger
Other than goods, the veterinary also offered their services to help animals injured in the fires.
Dog and cat food and other necessities were also collected at the clinic.
Britz offered his shuttle service to transport all the donations.
“We will be leaving to Betty’s Bay on 10 February,” said Britz.
“We challenge all other wards to participate and help make a difference,” said Breytenbach.
https://youtu.be/kqa8CNUK2LY
More than 14,000 hectares from Betty’s Bay to Hermanus were razed to the ground in the devastating fires after New Year’s Day.
According to reports, 43 homes were destroyed.
Donations will be collected until February 6. For more details, visit Facebook page TTTS Adventures.
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