The Star Early Edition

Miss SA crowdfunds for fire affected

- NOKUTHULA ZWANE nokuthula.zwane@inl.co.za @Zwane_2li2ls

MISS SA, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, was today expected to visit a number of Garden Route and Knysna areas affected by the devastatin­g fires and give her support.

The beauty queen was due to fly to Knysna today to assist the anguished families left destitute after devastatin­g fires that claimed the lives of seven people and left thousands displaced.

“I grew up in Sedgefield, which is in the heart of the area along the Garden Route that has been ravaged by fire. I want to personally visit communitie­s in both Knysna and Sedgefield and help where I can.

“My heart goes out to all those who have been affected,” she told The Star yesterday, also applauding South Africans who have helped.

“It is a time when communitie­s have to come together and help each other,” she said.

She has collaborat­ed with Cell C, Sun Internatio­nal and Backabuddy, the local crowdfundi­ng campaign, to raise more than R600 000 for the Knysna/Garden Route fire relief initiative. This was after she made a guest appearance on 947express with Darren “Whackhead” Simpson.

A fund has already been set up by the Sedgefield Lions.

“I therefore ask all of those who would like to assist to help me help those who have lost their homes and all their worldly possession­s,” said Nel-Peters.

Backabuddy was founded in 2007 by the late Allan John Beuthin and taken over by Patrick Schofield in 2015. To contribute, go to https://www.backabuddy. co.za/for-knysna

 ?? PICTURE: JACQUES DU PREEZ ?? With the help of hundreds of South Africans, Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh NelPeters has helped raise more than R600 000 for a Knysna/Garden Route fire relief initiative.
PICTURE: JACQUES DU PREEZ With the help of hundreds of South Africans, Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh NelPeters has helped raise more than R600 000 for a Knysna/Garden Route fire relief initiative.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa