Auction to support children who have lost everything in South African fire disaster
We have just heard from our good friend William Vilakazi in South Africa about devastating wild fires in his community that have destroyed the homes of ten families of his students.
William is the former Principal of Mnyakanya School who played a significant role in developing the Bambisanani Partnership. He is now the Principal of Vumanhlamvu Primary School which is also situated remote and rural Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal. The area is one of the most deprived in South Africa with the highest AIDS/HIV rate in the country and over 90% unemployment. The area endures extreme poverty and has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus.
Of the latest disaster William said “The wild fires have destroyed homes, livestock and forests. Twenty one (21) of our learners were badly affected by the fire. They are homeless, without clothes and food; some of the children cannot return to school right now because of the situation”
Graham Chennells and Nick Phillips from the Eshowe Rotary Club have just visited William and members of the community to help assess the situation. They have reported back to the Bambisanani Partnership and have confirmed the dire situation and a priority list of support: clothing and shoes, school uniforms, food parcels, blankets and materials to rebuild homes.
The Bambisanani Partnership immediately contacted individuals and partner organisations in both the UK in an effort to coordinate help; this work is ongoing and a major focus of work right now.
In order to kick start the necessary fund raising and to raise awareness, David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership charity has organised an auction of sporting memorabilia and other items. Offers are being invited at a minimum of £25 per item with bids to be forwarded to directly to David by 6pm Saturday 12 September: d.geldart@bambisananipartnership.org
Please see list of auction items below:
1. England shirt (framed) signed by Alan Shearer
2. England shirt (framed) signed by Wayne Rooney
3. 1968 European Cup Final Man Utd replica track top signed by Alex Stepney
4. Two West Ham replica shirts from the 1975 and 1980 Cup Finals in one frame both signed by Sir Trevor Brooking
5. 1966 World Cup Final Programme signed by Sir Geoff Hurst
6. Cricket ball signed by Geoff Boycott, David Gower, Bob Willis and Ian Chappell
7. Rugby ball signed by ten Leeds Rhinos players
8. Limited Edition 2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil) Adidas match ball replica
9. Limited Edition 2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil) Adidas match ball replica as used in the Final
10. FIFA World Cup replica trophy (full size)
11. Signed Leeds Utd football 91/92 season - First Division Champions, Gary McAllister, David Batty, Tony Dorigo etc
12. Kaiser Chiefs CD (Yours Truly, Angry Mob) signed by all five band members
13. Kaiser Chiefs CD (Employment) signed by all five band members
Three limited edition Bambisanani hardback 'coffee table type' books are also available:
14. Bambisanani: The Power of Sport - the book features art work and written work of over 650 St. Mary's and Mnyakanya School students based on Nelson Mandela's famous 'Power of Sport' quote
15. Bambisanani 2012: Faster, Higher, Stronger - featuring the work of the partnership in the Olympic year of 2012
16. Bambisanani: The First Ten Years - this book chronicles the work of the partnership and those involved from 2006 - 2016
David said. “We simply have to do something to help in this terrible situation and do it quickly. We are working desperately hard to coordinate a response in order to make this happen. If we were able to get £25 per auction item (or more!) this would give us a great start in raising the estimated £3800 required to get these children clothed, fed, back in a home and back into school. Their life is tough enough without having to contend with this.”
Offers have already been on many items – to see the latest highest bids please visit the latest bigs page:
