A full field of golfers and sponsors from Buffalo City raised R120 000 at the annual Algoa Cares East London Charity Golf Day to help Hope Schools become more sustainable through the hire of its hall, as well as the purchase of education and maintenance equipment.
The annual charity golf day, which has become a firm favourite for Buffalo City golfers due to the fun elements added by Algoa FM and sponsors, was hosted at the East London Golf Club on Friday, August 18.
Hope Schools educates, transports, and provides meals for over 300 learners from grades 00 to 12 at Little Sparklers Educare, Hope Preparatory, and Hope College.
Most of the pupils come from East London townships and informal settlements.
Platinum sponsor Meyers Motors ISUZU added R20 000 to the amount, according to Nigel Raw, the principal of Hope Schools.
“This is a great example of how Algoa FM works together with other Eastern Cape companies to support the communities in which we work and live,” says Algoa FM Marketing Manager Lesley Geyer.
“We are thankful for the exposure Hope Schools received through being nominated as the beneficiary of the Algoa Cares Golf Day,” says Raw.
“More people got to know about the school through the interviews and advertising of the event,” he says.
Funds raised will go towards the purchase of a printer for the school, an intercom system for the campus, stationary for students, and a heavy-duty floor polisher for the school hall, which is now available for hire.
“It is a beautiful one-thousand-seater hall overlooking the valley.
“There is parking for 65 vehicles alongside the hall as well as on the fields,” says Raw.
In the foyer is a small prayer room and there are change rooms on either side of the stage.
Below the hall is a large dining hall with a climbing wall.
“The Algoa FM team was fantastic to work with. We really appreciated the way they included some of our learners at the charity golf day.
“The whole event was well organized and we thank Algoa FM for choosing Hope Schools as the beneficiary and giving us the exposure to a wider audience.
“We are thrilled with the R120 000 that was raised on the day,” says Raw.
The hall and school are easily accessible off Voortrekker Road, Summerpride.
Image caption: At the handover of equipment and a R20 000 donation from platinum sponsor Meyers Motors are, front from the left, Shepherd Giura, Nikholwe Nyanda, Liqhame Totani, Unamandla Gadu, Olothando Vili and Indalo Cotyi. Back row is Carol Waddell (Hope Schools fundraiser), Nigel Raw (principal of Hope Schools), Algoa FM presenter Vinnie Nogemane and Connor Thorp, Meyers Motors sales manager.