THE challenge is on – Oosterland Child and Youth Care Centre in Despatch – urgently needs to upgrade its security fence at an estimated cost of R150 000. High Risk Protection Services donated R5 000 towards the project and now challenges other businesses also to contribute.
Silvano Recchia, director of High-Risk Protection Services, is well-known for assisting non-profit organizations.
Annelie Morton, fundraiser at Oosterland CYCC said Recchia contacted the Centre to find out how he could be of assistance. “After I informed him about the project to replace the security fence, he came up with the idea not only to donate R5 000, but also challenge other businesses to do the same or even top his donation,” said Morton.
“The Centre is being plagued with burglaries and intruders who illegally enter the property, owing to the poor and vandalized fence. The vandalizing of the fence especially happens on the freeway side of the property.
“A huge concern is the increase in absconding of Oosterland children. The dilapidated security fence makes it easier for these children to abscond from the Centre.”
According to Morton, to repair the fence to keep their children, staff and assets safe and secure, the Centre is under financial strain as these costs were not budgeted for.
“But if businesses will take on Recchia’s challenge, the new fence might soon be a reality. Oosterland is exempted from tax and thus we can issue an Article 18A certificate to those businesses and individuals assisting us in this matter,” said Morton.
- To find out how to get involved with the Oosterland security fence project contact Annelie Morton at 083 472 9255 or e-mail fundraiser.oosterland@gmail.com or Travis Marshall at oosterland.youthcare@gmail.com
