Rotary Club supports Woodside Sanctuary
AUCKLAND PARK – Woodside hope that people won't forget about the dire needs of their residents and support them as part of the community.
Woodside Sanctuary in Auckland Park is home to 81 severely to profoundly intellectually and physically disabled residents, ranging from 4 to 64 years in age.
The home has been devastated by the impact of Covid-19. Kirsten Williams, General Manager of Woodside said that since the lockdown began, there has been a critical decline in donations coming in, which is the lifeblood of the home. “We are battling with a R3.5m deficit per annum and although many of the parents pay for the care of their children, many of them are battling financially and have lost their jobs and livelihoods. In addition, we have had no support from the Department of Health for essential items such as protective gear and we have had to fund that ourselves.”
Residents and staff have also been badly affected by the pandemic. Kirsten Williams said that 48 residents and 19 staff members have tested positive but all have been asymptomatic, largely due to the pro-active measures the home took to ensure that they stayed healthy. The residents of Woodside are 100% dependent on care and Williams said that it is her fervent hope that people won’t forget about the dire needs of these residents and support them as part of the community. In this spirit the Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn delivered a whole range of homemade and some teatime baked goods to Woodside for their residents and staff to enjoy on 25 July.
Details: Kirsten Williams – kwilliams@woodside.co.za
