Following one of the most brutal fire seasons the Western Cape, and the Overberg region in particular, had ever experienced Hermanus Times launched the Heroes Need Fuel Too campaign, collecting non-perishable goods for the firefighters of the Overberg region. (“W Cape had the worst fire season” and “HT-led drive now extended”, Hermanus Times, 29 April 2026).
Firefighters truly are unsung heroes who risk their lives every time they attend to a fire, often working gruelling shifts of up to 72 hours. To do this, and to keep communities and property safe, they need proper nutrition and hydration. For this reason the drive specifically chose goods that provide quick energy as well as essential relief items.
The newspaper asked and the community responded by generously donating required items. The response so far has been incredible and heart-warming. Due to logistics and because donations of various quantities and types came in at different times, all items had to be sorted and packed as well as checked for expiry dates.
On Wednesday 6 March a whole bakkie-load full of donations was collected for distribution. This included more than 1 000 bottles of water and energy drinks, bags full of crisps, loads of energy bars, biscuits as well as a large quantity of essential relief items such as lip balm and eye drops.
Many of the items such as energy drinks and energy bars came in handy for the International Firefighters Day Celebration which was held in Bredasdorp on Saturday 9 May, when teams from across the region put their skills, strength and teamwork to the test. The remainder of the items will be reserve stock for when the new fire season begins.
The Hermanus First Fridays Art Walk was among the first to respond to our request with a very generous donation. We extend our sincere thanks to them as well as to the other donors, including Avbob Caledon, DR church Caledon, Overberg High School, Caledon VLV, TWK Executive Mayor Lincoln de Bruyn (personal donation), Councillor Yvonne van Tonder, Vriendelike Voëltjies Nursery School, Emoji Movement, Stephen Wildschut, Odette Weir, Atlas Finance Hermanus, Swartberg Primary School (Prefect project), Gabbiano, Ons Winkel Caledon as well as the many individuals who prefer to remain anonymous. (Apologies if any donors have accidentally not been mentioned.)
The aim of this initiative is to build up stock of non-perishable goods for firefighters of the whole Overberg region in preparation for the fire season. With this in mind the Heroes Need Fuel Too drive has been extended and will be ongoing until the end of the year.
Items required: water and energy drinks (500 ml), energy bars, chocolates (Bar One), snacks such as small packets of chips, lip balm or small pots of Vaseline, eye drops, Super C sweets, gummies, lollipops and biscuits.
Bully beef, which is easy to prepare while out in the field, is also very welcome. Please note that all items must have a “Best Before” date that is valid until well into 2027.
In Hermanus and surrounds contact Mariette Strydom on 082 443 2184 and in Caledon and surrounds contact Mitzi Buys on 076 543 0261.
Collection of donations can be arranged.
