Emergency! Help the Pink Loerie help Knysna
Pic: Koos Britz/WVS Wildfires/Twitter
The Pink Loerie Festival has come to the aid of its home town, Knysna, which is being ravaged by massive and devastating fires.
Huge sections of Knysna have burned to the ground, including homes, guest houses, schools and municipal buildings.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 residents, many children and the elderly, have been evacuated, but not everyone has been accounted for. Three are confirmed dead.
Hundreds in the much-loved coastal town are misplaced and many have lost all their belongings in the fire.
The organisers of the annual LGBTIQ+ festival have now called on members of the community to make a donation to the Pink Loerie Knysna Relief Fund Account (details below) to assist with disaster relief efforts in the fire-stricken town.
“As the home of the Pink Loerie, the LGBTQ+ community is heartbroken about what is happening in our favourite town,” commented the festival’s John O’Neil.
“We want to show that Knysna means more to us than just a place to have fun and parade every year. We have had so many good times there and now need to lend a hand during these hard times,” he said.
“The people of Knysna need assistance with food, water, shelter, electricity, generators, blankets, clothes etc. Anything you can spare. Some have lost everything they own. Knysna has been there for us over the past 17 years, it’s time for us to return the favour.”
Food and clothes etc. and donations can be dropped off at: The Knysna Fire Department, Waterfront Drive, Knysna or at Metelerkamps, 3 Union Street, Waterfront Drive, Knysna (opposite Knysna Fire Department)
Any donation of any amount that you wish to send to help can also be deposited into the following account:
PINK LOERIE MARDI GRAS AND ARTS FESTIVAL SOUTHERN AFRICA FOUNDATION
(Non-Profit Company Registration Number: 2016/283475/08 – NPO Number: 181-161)
ABSA
Account Number: 93-2544-3421
Branch Code: 632005
Account Type: Savings
Ref: KnysnaRelief and your name
For more info please email knysnarelief@pinkloeriefoundation.com.
O’Neil added: “We are currently trying to organise a team of people to collectively drive to Knysna over the weekend to help in any which way that we can. If you would like to be a part of this team or contribute in any way please also email us.”
Thank you SO much Pink Loerie! While there has been such wonderful outpouring of help and assistance here, one must realise that the effects resulting from the fires are going to remain for quite some time still as we rebuild. So I expect there will be ongoing needs for a while so every cent, every bar of soap, every blanket, every ‘blikkie kos’ will be put to good use with appreciation. And please…spare a thought for our four legged fur-kids who have had to be evacuated also who need sustaining at various shelters along the Garden Route. Thanks again. Love and light…