MySchool raises over R70m for schools, charities

Picture: Supplied

Animals benefit

Animal causes are a great favourite of the cardholders with an array of welfare and conservation organisations receiving significant funds through the fundraising channel. Over the last fundraising period, the National Council of SPCAs received R326,107.74; while just over R1 million was raised for regional societies, Sandton SPCA, Tshwane SPCA, Cape of Good Hope SPCA and Alberton SPCA, as well as the SPCAs of Kloof, Durban and Amanzimtoti. The programme is also as effective at raising funds for the lesser-known, more localised animal welfare organisations.

For example, in the same time period, just by swiping their cards at till points, SA shoppers raised R147,701.78 for the Highveld Horse Care Unit in Vereeniging; R92,929.62 for the CartHorse Protection Association operating on the Cape Flats and R272,086.33 for False Bay’s TEARS, The Emma Animal Rescue Society. Protecting the country’s dwindling Rhino populations is a wildlife cause that is top of mind for many South Africans, and shoppers raised a whopping R2,483,344.39 for the MyPlanet Rhino Fund, which is managed by the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

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Children’s charities

Children’s charities are a popular group of MyVillage beneficiaries amongst many SA cardholders. The Red Cross Hospital, once a pioneer and now a stalwart of modern paediatric care is well-supported across the country and received almost R200,000.00 in the latest fundraising period for its various programmes. R125,383.39 was raised for CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation, an organisation that provides support to children with cancer and life threatening blood disorders, and their families. Cotlands, an organisation working across six provinces and specialising in early childhood development (ECD) opportunities for vulnerable children received R108,405.18. Local children’s organisations are also well represented as beneficiaries of the. R38,034.95 was raised by shoppers for Durbanville Children’s Home, while R54,575.60 went to Johannesburg’s Abraham Kriel Childcare.

All this and much more, has been made possible due to 1.2 million South African customers choosing to give back, as they shop. MySchool cardholders can nominate up to three beneficiaries and then swipe their cards at participating retailers every time they shop. The retailers contribute on behalf of cardholders based on a percentage of the spend, which is then distributed to the schools, charities or conservation bodies of their choice, at no additional costs to the shoppers.

“Every year it’s a delight to see how cardholders, schools, charities and businesses are working together to make every swipe count,” said Pieter Twine, MySchool’s GM. “We have become one of the country’s biggest community fundraising programmes that enables South Africans to make a difference, just by shopping. Well done to South African shoppers for playing their part.”

For more information, go to www.myschool.co.za and select up to three schools, charities and conservation organisations you would most like to support.