Petervale community bands together after fire ravages special needs school

The power of community was evident on September 9 after residents in Petervale came together to help the Little Forest Centre following a devastating fire.

The school, which specialises in education for children with special needs between the ages of 18 months to 10 years old, was an empty shell within an hour after the blaze started.

ALSO READ: Forest Farm residents treated to Lindt Chocolate Studio tour

According to school principal Kate More, the school was overwhelmed by the support it received from the community when the blaze not only hit but also during the aftermath of the clean-up.

“The Petervale community was phenomenal, we had guys directing traffic, we had a human chain of people moving buckets of water from the neighbour’s swimming pool, people brought us food and cold drinks, and it was just phenomenal to see. I still have people coming in off the street dropping off a book or a box of crayons.”

ALSO READ: Petervale special needs school calls on the community following devastating fire

More added that a neighbour had also offered the school the use of their garden cottage until they were able to rebuild.

With regards to the rebuild, the school continues to drive support to its Back a Buddy donation page. The funds raised will go towards paying for rent for the next two years, drawing up new plans for the rebuild and submitting them to the city council.

If you would like to make a donation and assist the centre, please visit their BackABuddy page.

ALSO READ: Centres caring for persons with disabilities in Hillbrow get coronavirus care packages