Companies collaborate to help crisis centre
IN COLLABORATION with Futurelife and Marshalls World of Sport; East Coast Radio yesterday hosted its official viewing of the newly renovated Waterloo Crisis Centre.
The centre provides the impoverished community with food and child care.
Darren Maule from East Coast Radio said: “We started this initiative in July during Mandela Day and identified that the Waterloo Crisis Centre needed a lot of help. So we offered to paint, do some construction work and then Futurelife offered to feed the kids – providing a meal every day.
“Marshalls World of Sport came on board and brought toys and educational books.”
Maule encouraged the community to get involved by spending some time with the children – even if it is for a few hours. He said this was an opportunity for skilled locals to contribute with carpentry or plumbing.
This isn’t the only community project that they have been involved in this year.
“East Coast Radio as a brand is all about the community.
“We aren’t anything without the listeners.
“As a considerable platform, it would be irresponsible of us to not use our position to help out where we can, and identify areas where we empower the community to help themselves.”
Sarah Watkin Whitaker, a designer and partner at Stellar Consulting, said: “I did all the artworks, which included all the designs on the outside, and the murals.
“My 19-year-old daughter helped me with all the work.
“We used the inspiration from Waterloo’s Facebook page – ‘Make it Count’ – and combined it with Dulux paints.
“Their colour of the year was ‘bright skies’ – which is a sign of hope and inspiration.”
She said she got involved after hearing an advert from East Coast Radio on July 18.
She said being a teacher for 20 years ignited her passion to help – and this led to a phone call volunteering to help.
“It’s so fulfilling to see the results. It makes me so happy.” Marshalls World of Sport Learning and Development’s Tsepo Nthebe said: “This project is close to our hearts as we are very passionate about building communities.
“As Marshalls World of Sport, we saw it fit to be involved in this initiative.
“We contributed to the painting to make sure it looks amazing.
“It is like a homecoming for us as the first Marshalls World of Sport branch started 60 years ago in Verulam,” said Nthebe.