FEATURE

Absa Cape Epic tents go to charity

By Absa Cape Epic

With adverse weather conditions fast approaching, Absa – together with the organisers of the Cape Epic – have donated 5 410 tents, previously used by Absa Cape Epic riders, to two prominent charities today.

The Red Cross, one of the largest volunteer driven organisations in the world as well as the Gift of the Givers Foundation, Africa’s largest disaster response non-governmental organisation (NGO), were the recipients of the donation. Each organisation will receive 2705 tents to assist in some of their future initiatives.

Matshepo Majola, General Manager, Group Marketing for Barclays Africa, said: “Absa consistently endeavours to leverage our sponsorship properties such as the Absa Cape Epic to support our local communities.  We are all aware of the commendable work that the Red Cross and the Gift of the Givers Foundation do. Today’s donation will, hopefully, assist them in some of their future work.”

She added that Absa intermittently renews its tents to accommodate the evolving needs of the Absa Cape Epic riders. “Now that we’ve accumulated a number of surplus tents that are still in good condition, we’ve decided to donate them to organisations that consistently support communities in need.”

Today’s official handover of the tents  took place in Cape Town at the headquarters of the Absa Cape Epic, with Doug Walker, Absa’s Managing Executive in the Western Cape and Lynn Naude, Chief Executive Officer of the Absa Cape Epic, representing their respective organisations.

“At the Absa Cape Epic we endeavour to have a positive impact on the communities we interact with and respect our social and physical environment.  We are very grateful for the work done in the Western Cape and globally by the Red Cross and Gift of the Givers Foundation respectively and trust that this donation on behalf of Absa and ourselves will ease some of the burden and enable more of this good work.’’, said Naude.

Levona Van Aarde, acting Western Cape Provincial Manager at the South African Red Cross Society said: “The Red Cross would like to express their gratitude to Absa and to the Absa Cape Epic for this generous donation.  With the rainy season fast approaching in the Western Cape, these tents will go a long way in helping us to assist people in need.”

Saadiq Natha, Project Manager at Gift of the Givers, concluded: “These tents will be hugely helpful in our efforts to provide disaster relief to people affected by harsh winter conditions all over South Africa.  We are immensely grateful to both Absa and to the Absa Cape Epic for their support.”

Website: Absa Cape Epic