East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game has kicked off, aimed
at giving joy with toys to every child in a government hospital, children’s
home and crèche in KwaZulu-Natal. Now in its 16th year, the campaign is
one of the longest-running annual CSI initiatives in KwaZulu-Natal.
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| East Coast Radio's General Manager, Boni Mchunu, Game's Elisabeth Ric Hansen, Darren Maule and Kerri Miller at the launch. Image by Abhi Indrarajan |
Speaking at
the launch at Atholton Primary School in Umhlanga, which was
attended by Sharkie and musicians Gangs of ballet, Chloe Clark and Kyle
Deutsch, East Coast Radio’s General Manager, Boni Mchunu, said, “Residents and business across KwaZulu-Natal have always
generously supported this initiative as we aim to light up the lives of some of
the province’s most destitute children over the end-of-year holidays. Together,
we can all work towards building a better society in KZN.” Mchunu
also extended her heartfelt thanks to the stakeholders who make this year’s
social outreach programme possible.
Over the next weeks, the campaign will collect new toys
for distribution at paediatric wards in state-owned facilities across the
province. All Game stores will have collection boxes. Schools and business can
request a Toy Story collection box by emailing toystory@ecr.co.za
This year, every
cent of the funds donated to the campaign will be channelled into the Game
AmaLunchbox project that is aimed at feeding children from disadvantaged
backgrounds. This project was launched
in 2008 to curb the detrimental effects of hunger on the educational
development of children – hungry children cannot concentrate on schoolwork. The AmaLunchbox project provides disadvantaged
schools nationwide with the facilities to allow them to prepare nutritious
meals in hygienic conditions.
“Game is
proud to have been a Toy Story partner for the past six years, “ says Elisabeth
Ric Hansen, Marketing, PR and CSI Manager at Game. “Toy Story is a project that
is very close to our CSI projects focusing on the upliftment and enablement of
disadvantaged children through the Amalunchbox school feeding program and the
Tools to Teach and Tools to Play educational program.”
Hansen
added, “The feeling of knowing that a positive change has been made in the
lives of disadvantaged children is priceless. We hope to bring some cheer,
smiles and laughter to the lives of the children who benefit from the Toy Story
project.”
Last year,
residents and corporates across KZN helped make a difference in the lives of
the province’s ill and disadvantaged children, by raising more than R1.5
million for East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game and donating more than
101 000 new toys.
Darren Maule
and the East Coast Breakfast team broadcast live from Atholton Primary School
to officially launch East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game. Pupils from the
school donated the most number of toys to the campaign last year, compared to
any other school in KZN. By 9am, when Darren, Keri Miller and Sky Tshabalala
wrapped up the show, Atholton Primary pupils had already filled up four
collection boxes with brand new toys!
If your
school or business would like a collection box, kindly email toystory@ecr.co.za
Further
info, including banking details, available at www.ecr.co.za
This edition by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton
