The Mercury thanks readers for the outpouring of support for the #DurbanFloodsRelief initiative.
The collection is now closed, with the public having contributed non-perishable foodstuffs, blankets and toiletries to the collection drive for those affected by the #DurbanStorm earlier this month.
The items collected were donated to the Denis Hurley Centre and the St Martin’s Diocesan Home for Children.
They included 108 blankets and 86 scarves, all made with love by “knitwits” who are part of the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative in KwaZulu-Natal.
St Martin’s principal Ishara Poodhun said she was grateful for the support including that which came in the immediate aftermath of the storm, which left the home flooded.
#DurbanStorm flood victims found
Already underfunded, the home is looking to make repairs to damage caused by the flooding and do work on the grounds to prevent their below road level premises from being flooded again.
The home looks after almost 80 vulnerable children, aged between 3 and 18 years old, who would otherwise have nowhere else to go.
Denis Hurley Centre’s director Raymond Perrier said they were delighted at the generosity of The Mercury’s readers.
He said the items will be used to help homeless people who saw all their belongings washed away in the floods.