Casual Day raises R20 million for the disabled

The money will go to approximately 400 organisations providing services in the field of disability, via the structures of six major, national beneficiaries.

Casual Day is an initiative of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA) and beneficiaries include Epilepsy SA, DEAFSA, SA National Council for the Blind, SA Federation for Mental Health, Disabled People SA as well as the NCPPDSA.

The annual Casual Day event has become a staple on the calendars of corporate South Africa providing an easy and fun-filled way to make a positive contribution to this, one of most marginalised sectors of our society. The opportunity for office camaraderie is welcomed as each year on the first Friday of September, we are encouraged to wear something different from usual, wearing the sticker as an endorsement of the serious sentiment behind the light-hearted change in dress code.

Funds disbursed after audit

Each year the disbursement of the proceeds is done after the audit in February and directors of the six national beneficiary organisations received their share of the funds on Friday, 2 March, 2012, at function held to celebrate the success of 2011 and reveal the theme 2012.

Stalwart advocate for uplifting the rights of people with disabilities and director of the NCPPDSA, Johan Viljoen emphasised the importance of the Casual Day project stating that these funds are in many cases, the difference between organisations being able to keep doors open to continue rendering services in the disability sector, or closing down. "Over the last decade and a half we have made major improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities, not only providing material relief, but also creating a more accessible and inclusive society. Ultimately, this is our aim; access to education, housing and employment. Casual Day proceeds work hard to achieve this and funds do go down to grassroots level, where they are applied in a constructive and positive way to the benefit of person with disabilities in our country."

Get on Board for 2012

Inspired by a naval and boating theme, the 2012 message is, "Get on Board". Whilst the public is encouraged to dress like a captain, sailor or pirate, the implication is that wearing the sticker is the endorsement to show that we did in fact, get on board with Casual Day. This year's campaign takes place on Friday, 7 September, 2012.