The event was initiated by Nedbank Business Banking in the Garden Route (George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Riversdale, Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay) a few years back in answer to and in remaining true to the bank’s motto of "make things happen".
The fantastic team spirit of the six Southern Cape branches cumulatively made the idea of creating an event to raise funds for nominated charitable organisations in each of the regions and the pooling of resources and initiatives an easy one. The fundraising efforts have gone from strength to strength over the past five years.
This year’s event was an extravaganza of note, with a substantial sum of R184 000 raised towards the operations of this year’s chosen beneficiaries.
These include the Phambili Refuge for Battered Women & Children, Happy Feet Learning Centre (Life Community Services) and Huis JJ Watson in George, Siyanithanda Disabled Child Care Centre and Benevolent Park home for the aged and centre for the disabled in Mossel Bay, the Sonop Disabled Group, Kranshoek and the Field Band Foundation in Plettenberg Bay, the Coronation Memorial Care Centre for the Aged and Triomf Child Care Centre in Oudtshoorn, the CATT (Child Abuse Trauma Team) Protocol Programme (Child Welfare) and Paula Whitney Crèche (Child Welfare) in Knysna, and Stilbaai Bejaardesorg (Badisa) and Droom - Huis Jan Lange en ou Meule (Badisa) in Riversdale.
"It’s been a rewarding experience for us to be able to give back to communities along the Garden Route. Nedbank encourages every staff member to be actively involved in their communities and contribute in every way possible," says Laura Theobald, Nedbank Business Banking’s Charity Fund Raising co-ordinator for the Garden Route. Laura believes that the success of the fundraising drive over the past five years has been largely due to the amazing support they’ve received from their donors. The contribution from donors has never been less than R100 000 in each of the five years. After all, it is the words of Mahatma Ghandi that resonate when making things happen inspires people to do more. We truly need to be the change we want to see in this world. Nedbank Business Banking, the Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort & Spa and the generous sponsors of this event have taken strides to make a difference. It is time to follow their lead. What will you do?
Fashion Parade at the fun filled Nedbank Business Banking annual fundraising event.
