Charities need your help this winter

The approaching winter season is an opportunity to assist charities that may be in need of winter essentials.

There are various charities that have specific needs to help them cope through the chilly season. Marang House in Northcliff offers long-term care to children with chronic ailments from ages four to 14 years. They look after patients with renal failure, chronic diabetes and cardiac issues.

Marang House administrating manager Melanie Tennant said that during the winter season the children need warm jackets, winter clothing or vouchers to buy clothes.

“We are also fortunate to have had some churches knit gloves and scarfs for us but we always need to have scarfs. These are useful to the children in case their clothes are in the wash or get stolen,” said Tennant.

Hotel Hope Ministries is an organisation that is dedicated to taking care of abandoned and orphaned children. Hotel Hope Ministries’ operations manager Renata Noble said their organisation would appreciate clothes for children aged from newborn babies to five years. Items such as blankets are needed by mothers and children in their crises centre in Alex.

“We are currently also raising funds through both our charity shops based in Melville. I encourage people to go on our Facebook page and join it for further information,” said Renata.

Junkie Charity Store in Melville sells a number of items and clothes in order to raise funds for the various charities that they support. The store founder Michelle de Villiers said that they sell beautiful winter clothes that are in good condition. She encourages people to come support the store because not only will they get a good bargain for clothes but they can also help those in need.

Woodside Santuary is dedicated to taking care of people with mental and physical disabilities.

Woodside Sanctuary general manager Kristen Williams said that residents are in need of winter socks and pyjamas, that do not have chocking hazards.

“Adult nappies are also needed by our residents for when they attend doctor’s appointments at government hospitals, where they often wait in long queues. We would also appreciate male and female tracksuits. Should people want to get the correct sizes, they can contact us,” said Williams.

For the winter season, Children of Fire intern operations manager, Ellie Ndlovu, said that besides needing warm clothing they also need hats.

“For those who have tissue expanders inserted under the skin of their scalp, hats would help them a great deal. When it is cold, their heads sometimes need to be covered,” concluded Ndlovu.

Other charities:

• The Busy Bees, 011 888 50 03

• Firlands Children’s home, 011 782 5556

• Tshepo Community Development Initiative, 072 507 2621.

Details: Marang House; 011 476 66 98, Hotel Hope Ministries; 011 484 4000, Junkie Charity Store; 011 024 5284, Woodside Sanctuary; 011 726 7318, Children of Fire; 011 482 52 70.

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