SPAR races will spread joy
Three Bay organisations set to benefit from popular events
THERE will be plenty of smiles both on and off the road, as three Nelson Mandela Bay non-profit organisations have been named as beneficiaries of the SPAR Women’s Challenge. The Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities (APD) and the Missionvale Care Centre will benefit from the main race on May 6 and the Little Ladies Race, which takes place on May 1, will contribute to the SOS Children’s Village.
APD in North End promotes the advancement of people with disabilities to enable them to attain their maximum level of independence and to raise awareness of the need to accommodate and provide for the many South Africans with disabilities in the workplace and in society in general.
As a beneficiary last year, APD used the money received from SPAR Eastern Cape to sustain its Ability Work Centres, where it provides employment and practical skills training for 90 people with disabilities from impoverished communities in and around Nelson Mandela Bay.
“Without the ongoing generous support of companies like SPAR Eastern Cape, there is no doubt we would have had to drastically cut back on the life-changing services we provide to the disability sector we serve in order to survive financially,” executive director Brian Bezuidenhout said.
“Our Ability Work Centres are expensive operations to run and we would not be able to sustain them without the generous donations we receive from our amazing supporters.
“The centres are the only ones of their kind in Nelson Mandela Bay.”
Missionvale Care Centre marketing manager Linda van Oudheusden said she loved the fact that the event afforded local people the opportunity to give back to their communities.
“We are deeply touched to be included in this event,” she said.
The care centre, founded 30 years ago by Sister Ethel Normoyle, is a village of care – encompassing a clinic, primary school, community vegetable garden, crafters unit, clothing warehouse, nutrition unit and homebased care services. It serves the deeply impoverished community of Missionvale and surrounding areas.
“Although we have started small income-generating initiatives, these are not enough to sustain our entire operation,” Van Oudheusden said.
“So we rely on fundraising and events like these to continue providing essential services to the poor.
“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all at SPAR for including us as a beneficiary, and to all the organisers and participants.”
It is the first time the SOS Children’s Village in Schauderville has been a beneficiary of the SPAR Little Ladies Race, and there is excitement about the exposure and the cash injection it will receive for the work done to alleviate the plight of orphaned and vulnerable Eastern Cape children.
The SOS Children’s Village relies on donations from individuals and companies to support its efforts to bring about positive change for orphaned and vulnerable children, SOS corporate fundraiser Mandy Spies says.
With more financial and donations in kind, they can reach more children in desperate need of love and care.
“We say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to SPAR for its generous investment into the lives of [the] children.”