As Southern Africa continues to reel from extreme weather, Virgin companies in SA have activated a nationwide relief effort in partnership with Gift of the Givers for communities devastated by floods and cyclones.
South Africa – Virgin Money, Virgin Active and Virgin Mobile are collectively urging their one million South African members, and the public at large, to rally together to create a groundswell of continued support “After the Rains”.
Extreme weather has wreaked havoc, not only impacting the lives of South Africans but millions of people in Mozambique and surrounding areas.
Collection points have been set up at 115 Virgin Active clubs throughout South Africa, making it easy for the public to drop off non-perishable food, blankets, clothing and hygiene items at these gyms.
Well respected disaster relief organisation, Gift of the Givers, will distribute the donations to devasted families whose homes and belongings have been washed away. The non-profit organisation is on the ground in South Africa as well as cyclone-ravaged areas to provide immediate relief.
People wanting to make cash donations can use the easily accessible Virgin Money Spot, a secure mobile app trusted by over 400 000 South African users. All they need to do is add the telephone number 0741 859 378, enter in the amount, and make a donation. The number will show up as “Gift of the Givers”.
At winds of 160 kilometres an hour, Cyclone Kenneth hit Mozambique last week while the country continues to reel from superstorm, Cyclone Idai, which slammed into the area barely a month ago. Described as one of the worst natural African disasters of the century, Idai tore into southern Africa in March causing widespread devastation and loss of life in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson said: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by these catastrophes, which have caused so much destruction and human suffering. The Virgin family will do what it can to ensure help gets to those who need it most. Thank you to all of the teams at Virgin Money, Virgin Active and Virgin Mobile who are offering their support. The work to help the survivors is far from over – but it is when we come together that we can really make an impact.”
Branson and Virgin Unite, the Virgin Group’s non-profit foundation, as well as other Virgin companies reacted quickly in March by making donations in support of the 2.9 million people said to have been impacted by Cyclone Idai, and continue to work closely with their partners on the ground.
Physical donations can be made at Virgin Active collection points across South Africa, and at Virgin Mobile head office in Cedar Square, Fourways. There will also be QR codes for people to scan and make cash donations at these locations.
Click the link to see a full list of gyms across the country.
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