The Rotary Club of Gately received a donation of 150 electronic and ‘push type’ wheelchairs as well as crutches, walkers, walking sticks, toys, mattresses, bed rails and more from the Wheelchair Foundation UK.
The shipping container was unloaded on Thursday at the club’s warehouse, from where the refurbished and second-hand items will be distributed to local organisations in need.
“Beforehand I kept thinking of the potential a donation of this magnitude could have, but to actually see it and realise how many people you can help is amazing,” said Rotary Club of Gately president, Jacqui Mauer.
Starting this international friendship with the UK through the Rotary Friendship Exchange Programme 10 years ago, Rotarian Andy Russell is behind the scenes facilitating this international component of the club.
“The couple who have encouraged and advocated for our club to receive this donation visit from the UK annually and are always involved in the work we do,” said Russell.
As a joint effort, a number of local businesses, including Röhlig-Grinrod and RRN Removals gave of their time, skills and labour to enable the shipment to reach the Rotary warehouse seamlessly.
“We’ve sponsored all the customs clearance for the import and it was a relatively quick process. I’m on the Border Kei Chamber of Business Board and heard of Rotary’s warehouse project through connections. This is the first shipment we’ve facilitated for them,” said Röhlig-Grinrod representative, Kirsten van der Merwe.
Rotarian Rajoo Naidoo, owner of RRN Removals, sponsored the transportation and unloading of the shipment container.
“I’m a member of Rotary and to be part of such a great organisation is a privilege. Rotary is in constant service of people who are less fortunate and I needed to help in any way possible,” said Naidoo.
Rotarian Action Group member (RAGs) Bongi Baninzi, was one of the many that helped unload items from the overflowing container.
“I did interact at school and when I came back after varsity and started working I really wanted to continue helping those in need, so I was really happy when a colleague told me about RAGS. We’re a group of young adults between 18 and 30 who volunteer to help the club and we also run our own projects,” said Baninzi.
Costing over R60,000 to get the container to East London, the Rotary Club of Gately is grateful for the generosity of those involved.
“There are so many people behind the scenes and I cannot sing their praises enough. I am incredibly humbled by this network that we are part of and the thread of service above self being put into practice by so many people,” said Mauer.
“Each piece of equipment unloaded from that container is a potential good memory and happy time in the making. Someone that didn’t have a wheelchair before will now get mobility and independence.”
If any organisations are in need of the donated items, please contact Andy Russell at andyr@nvestsec.co.za ...