Banks, Businesses, corporates and individuals have raised millions of rands for the Knysna Fire victims in just over a 24 hour period.
The devastation of the fire has been filling our news feeds since the fire started. Hundreds of building have burned to the ground and millions in assets lost!
Knysna has been battered by raging fires and Cape Town has been affected by a severe storm this week. Homes have been destroyed resulting in thousands being displaced and people have lost their lives. Several areas have been evacuated and additional first responders have been deployed into the Western Cape to assist.
This disaster did not only affect one class of people, the loss has been felt in all corners of society! To help alleviate the stress people have been donating essentials such as food, clothing and blankets. A big influx of donations have been the financial kind!
In light of this, many South African corporates and individuals are working together to help support the victims and the first responders in disaster affected areas of the Western Cape.
As of today millions have been raised! Here is who has done what:
Crowdfunding on various platforms has raised over R 300,000.00 towards the relief efforts. Some people have pledged to send the money they have raised to Animal welfare organisations like the SPCA and KAWS. The NSRI and Rotary were also listed. Websites such as GoFundMe and BackaBuddy have been popular for the campaigns.
ABSA donated R 10 million to the relief efforts as well as 5 600 tents usually used by cyclists during the Cape Epic mountain bike race.
The KFM radio station raised R 2,5 million towards the relief efforts in just 2 hours!
“Big corporates have stepped up to assist with relief efforts in Knysna, with R13 million being pledged on KFM in the past 24 hours.”
“The KFM Drive on Thursday raised R2.5 million from four sponsors to Gift of the Givers in less than two hours: OUTsurance pledged R250 000, Santam pledged R1 million, Old Mutual pledged R500 000 and Discovery pledged R750 000″
South Africans stick together in hard times! This is more evident now than ever before!
How wonderful to see that when times are tough how people in South Africa come together to help each other. So uplifting that through the disaster comes some good.
Please take a look at our website which is raising funds for those effected in then Knysna fires.
Would really appreciate a share to keep the awareness up and keep people donating!
http://www.knysnafirerelief.com
Kind Regards,
The Knysna Fire Relief Team