Warming up Namibia with Winter Knights
The annual Round Table’s Winter Knights project aimed at raising funds for marginalized communities and the vulnerable, was a resounding success.With the main focus being to raise donations to ensure these communities are assisted in whichever way possible during the cold Namibian winters, the Winter Knights can boast multiple success stories.
With the cooler weather making one reach for blankets and warm clothing, the Winter Knights of the Round Table Namibia once again called on their loyal supporters to join them in the fight against the cold and to help them spread warmth amongst those less fortunate.
“This was the 18th year the Winter Knights campaign united communities through the giving and receiving of blankets, clothing, food and donations that not only warm bodies, but also the hearts of all involved,” said Byron Westerdale, Namibia Area Chairman.
The success of this campaign lies in the passion of the Namibian business sector and its individuals who braved the cold to personally collect donations on the morning of 3 June 2022 across multiple street corners in Windhoek (40), Walvis Bay (10) and Swakopmund (10). This year’s total project value so far is in excess of N$1 186 445.29 of which more than N$573 120.29 was in cash. Final recons on the latter amount are still in progress as the Knights continue receiving donations.
Making a difference
“The true measure of success is not the record amount of donations raised, but the hope that the donations and distributions make a difference in each beneficiary’s life, however small it might be,” says 2022 convenor, Stefan du Raan.
“We would like to thank the communities from Windhoek, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, who made this fundraising project a huge success,” Westerdale added.
More than 40% of Namibia’s population live in multidimensional poverty, illustrating that there is a massive need to help these individuals. Statistics like this demonstrate that a project like Winter Knights can and must make a difference.
“The Namibian Area, being one of the smallest areas in Round Table Southern Africa, again managed to achieve ‘the impossible’. This was done, purely through passion for this project, dedicated Tablers and an amazing community who continue to open their wallets when donations are requested,” Du Raan said.
The Tablers especially thank Future Media, who from the outset made sure this project was heard countrywide, along with other vital project partners PEP, Indongo Toyota, DMS and PayToday. PEP, apart from providing shelf space at all 128 stores located in Namibia, also gave “the Round Table a 5% discount on all blankets purchased, and additionally also donated N$20 000 worth of blankets. PayToday and Dynamic Mobile Solutions provided virtual platforms for donations while Indongo Toyota also branded vehicles with the Winter Knights branding and allowed for in store donation drop offs,” Du Raan said.
“We keep getting more companies committed to doubling their corner collections or finding new payments made into our account towards the project,” Du Raan said. “On a personal note, I would like to thank each and every sponsor, corporate, employee, Round Tabler and their better halves involved in this project.”
While distributions to beneficiaries have begun, if anyone would still like to contact the Tablers regarding possible donations towards a charity or organisation, they can contact Du Raan at 081 260 2709 or [email protected] .