With 2021 only a few weeks away, we’re writing to you now to show our appreciation for your wonderful support of our hard-working charities. Throughout this very difficult year, and particularly during the COVID pandemic, your generos-ity has made it possible for us to help so many people in need. You have our heartfelt thanks and we want you to know it couldn’t have been done without you!

Despite COVID, you can see our charities have been involved in many projects, with some directly related to coping with this serious pandemic. It certainly has been a tough year, but you’ll notice that each charity has been busy doing what it does best … helping others in our communities as they battle to keep going during difficult times.

Naturally our charities are also struggling to keep up with the demand for their many excellent projects throughout South Africa and they are always in need of a little extra to help them cover their costs. We haven’t asked for any extra help since early in 2016, so if you are in a position to slightly increase your monthly contribution to The Charity Circle, we would be extremely grateful. You can use the reply slip below or call us on 021 421 4484. We’ll be thrilled to hear from you!

Whatever happens, if at any time you need to update your personal details or make any recommendations or suggestions, please send us an email at vip@thecharitycircle.co.za or use the contact page on our website www.thecharitycircle.co.za.

We wish you all the best for 2021 and thank you once again for making a positive difference in so many people’s lives!

Yours sincerely

Fundraising Co-ordinator

PO Box 2424 • Clareinch • 7740Tel: 021 421-4484Fax: 021 421-8928Email: vip@thecharitycircle.co.zaWebsite: www.thecharitycircle.co.za

FOR VIP SUPPORTERS ONLY

Dear Charity Circle Supporter

A

December 2020

2020 marked the 50th year of existence for the Avril Elizabeth Home, which is considered a leader in providing a high standard of care to intellectu-ally challenged individuals, many with physical disabilities. The Home currently accommodates and provides services to 151 children and adults ranging in age from 5 years to 75 years.

With the national lockdown declared in March, the Avril Elizabeth Home was extremely fortunate to have almost 50% of the essential staff agree to live in on the premises of the Home for the entire dura-tion of the lockdown. The Board and Management of the Home are most thankful to these staff for the sacrifices they made during this time.

To keep the residents occupied, stimulation pro-grammes were run on a daily basis and, with them having so much dedicated time, a great improve-ment in the abilities of some of the residents was noted. We thank you for your regular donations which ensure our residents are well cared for!

ABOUT YOUR DONATION: 1. Charity Circle donations benefit The Priory for South Africa of the Order of St John (000-814 NPO), Avril Elizabeth Homes for the Mentally Handicapped (000-704 NPO), Age-in-Action (002-842 NPO) and Childline South Africa (035-472 NPO). 2. To donate individually to one or more of our charities call 021 421 4484 for individual contact details. 3. Information you may supply today is subject to the Processing Instruction shown below. 4. All donors are equally special to The Charity Circle and will be treated as VIP Supporters regardless of the size of their donations.

PROCESSING INSTRUCTION: “Please process any information I have supplied here today and only use it for The Charity Circle purposes. If I’m donating by Direct Debit, I authorise The Charity Circle to debit my account with my donation on a day close to the end of this month, and each new month if applicable. If I’m donating regularly, I authorise The Charity Circle to apply an inflationary increase to my debit, but only after giving me two months notice. Finally, I can withdraw or alter my instructions at any time with immediate effect.”

Childline’s outreach programmes help many vulnerable children in all our communities.

Recently a concerned mother from KZN contacted the Crisisline, to talk about her teenage son. The boy had become very rude and had threatened to commit suicide. His academic performance had declined and he refused to go to school. Whilst upset at first that his mother had intervened, the boy confided that he was being bullied by an older learner and was embarrassed to tell his family and friends. After counselling, his mother reported back on a positive change in his behaviour and his self esteem.

The counsellor provided the outreach department with his school’s details and a Bullying programme was conducted at the school.

Age-in-Action supported the residents in Nazareth, a small deep rural town in the Uthukela District, KwaZulu-Natal during the COVID pan-demic. Social worker, Nothando Ntombela, conducted a door-to-door campaign, sharing information on Covid-19 and handing out masks and hand sanitisers to the older persons. Residents at the local old age home were also assisted.

In Cape Town, Ms Sharon Martin of Age-in-Action’s National Office visited her local pension pay-point to hand out face masks to older beneficiaries. In these tough economic times, older persons have grown accustomed to the fact that nothing is for free. As a vulnerable group for Covid-19, their basic essentials now need to include protective items, which are expensive. Much to their surprise, this time the masks were free! Thank you for your support!

St John recently opened a new Eye Care Clinic in Pietermaritzburg to provide the whole family with comprehensive eye examinations at affordable prices.

Building on a long history and trusted reputation in the field of eye care, safety and community health in South Africa, head of optometry at St John, Fatima Hoosen said of the new clinic, “It’s exciting to be in a position where we can offer the community of Pietermaritzburg an affordable and professional eye care alternative. There is definitely a need for our service here.”

She continued, “We offer modern spectacles at competitive prices for those who don’t have the luxury of a medical aid. Pensioners are welcome and should enquire about our pensioners discount. All St John Eye Clinics across South Africa are well prepared for patients and all COVID-19 safety protocols and hygiene requirements are in place. We want our clients to know that we take their ongoing safety and good health seriously.”

To book an appointment at any St John Eye Clinic, visit our website www.stjohn.org.za or dial 086 101 7404 for the contact details of an eye clinic nearest you.

DR60/L