Money raised to spread the warmth to the needy

Temperatures in Joburg can plummet overnight and often, winds from the Cape’s cold fronts can be quite harsh and homeless people experience that first hand.

The Northcliff Rotary Club aims to change that, one blanket at a time. The club raised over R10 000 through their Blanket Drive at the Randpark Ridge Mall, raising enough money to buy more than 150 blankets. President of the Northcliff Rotary Club, Paul Westcott, said their club had joined hands with the Johannesburg Main Reef Rotary Club to increase their fundraising efforts.

“The blankets we hope to buy are supplied to us at a price of R70 and residents can help by donating any amount they can,” he said.

Westcott explained that they did this annually in the hopes of bringing warmth to the many homeless people in Joburg. He further explained that the blankets are grey in colour because they are seldom washed and they did not last very long as they are used every year.

The blankets are given to orphanages, old age homes and various other charities as they try and spread warmth to as many people as they can.

“The Blanket Drive has been successful so far as we have been able to raise quite a lot of money. It’s always a great feeling to hand them over,” he said. He encourages residents who want to become involved to contact the club. Westcott said they managed to buy over ten thousand blankets.

Details: The Northcliff Rotary Club 

Related Article: Warming Johannesburg one blanket at a time