Update

GEORGE NEWS - The Change for Hope street collection on Saturday 29 July was a major success with R14 030 raised in just four hours.

"We would like to thank every single person in George who contributed to this cause. We are grateful for every 5c and every R200 that was contributed by the very generous people in George. Saturday was once again proof that there are still people who care in our city," said Freddy Trout, CEO of People Against Substance Abuse (Pasa). 

Change for Hope is an initiative started by Pasa to enable drug addicts to obtain effective and lasting help.

"Only half the volunteers that we hoped would be present turned up, but they got the job done. We already have eight people waiting to be helped through this project and we will be booking three of them into the rehabilitation centre in Cape Town on Friday 11 August." 

A satisfied team with their collection tins.

"We are planning to have a street collection at least once a month on the last Saturday, after obtaining permission from the authorities. The need out there is so great and although we raised almost three times more than during the launch, we still need much more to be able to assist more people.

"The requests for help are coming in faster than the funds needed to help them."

Trout appealed to business owners in George to become part of Change for Hope by volunteering their time to help with the street collections. "We are also appealing to businesses who can sponsor our volunteers a meal and something to drink."

Volunteer Sarah-Joy Moses gets a donation from a friendly taxi driver.

"On every corner where volunteers are standing, there is a restaurant or business that sells food. If they can sponsor the volunteers on their corner, then we can all share the load so that one person does not have to sponsor everyone."

For more information about Change for Hope or to become involved as a volunteer or sponsor, contact Freddy Trout on 071 090 4450 or e-mail freddy@pasacaw.co.za.

Read a previous article: Street collection for addicts

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