Starfish raises R2-m to help orphans of AIDS

The Starfish Charitable Foundation was founded by a group of young South Africans in London, England, in June last year. Starfish aims to raise money for children orphaned or made vulnerable by AIDS. To date, close on R2-million has been collected through various fundraising events.

The Foundation's name - Starfish - comes from a story about a girl who, against the odds, saves starfish from dying on the beach. The Foundation encourages individuals to do their bit in turning the tide on AIDS, each bringing his or her own expertise, money and enthusiasm to change one life at a time.

Starfish supports community-based outreach programmes. The first project to benefit is the Gcinosapho Project, administered by God's Little Acre in Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal. Situated in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, it supports more than 750 children. Its aim is to give hope to children affected by AIDS by ensuring that they are fed, clothed, housed and educated, without removing them from their communities. As more money is raised, the initiatives will be expanded.

The first "Star Centres" will open next year. These will be self-sustainable day-care/recreation centres and will be centrally situated in communities. Various stakeholders in business and civil society are working with the Foundation on this project.

Starfish is supported by various companies including the IQ Business Group, Coca-Cola, Pick 'n Pay, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, African Merchant Bank, Herdbuoys McCann Erickson, South African Airways, TransNet and many others.

The next fundraiser for the charity will be held on 21 September 2002. The IQ Business Group/Starfish Charity Ball will take place in Johanensburg and London simultaneously. Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni will be guest-of-honour at the South African ball, and Pieter-Dirk Uys will be speaking at the London event. At these functions, the Starfish jewellery range, made with the support of Harmony Gold and Orpheo of Hyde Park, will be launched.

Tickets cost R500 each and can be ordered by e-mailing [email protected].

For more information, please call 082 413 0391
or visit the Starfish website on: www.starfishcharity.org