Hello friends

You may have heart about the devastating floods that have hit the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast of South Africa in the last few days.

Just google #KZNfloods or #DurbanWeather and you'll see what I'm talking about. KwaZulu-Natal is where I grew up, where I am currently based, so this feels very close to home.

Images from South African news outlets: News24, SAfm, Business Insider, Daily Maverick, SABC, Times Live, The Sowetan, and IOL.

It has been intense.

More information is emerging daily but the most tragic news is that many people have died — official reports have numbers at 300 395 and thousands more are without the basic needs of shelter, drinkable water, food and warmth.

“Bedding + blankets are almost always in need after a devastating flood.”

There are, of course, a number of trusted charities you can give to and I’ve listed them further on, but I also wanted to do something to help. After frantically googling "What do people need most after a flood?" blankets were almost always listed, along with food and clean drinking water. Blankets provide immediate warmth and are something people can keep with them wherever they are.

So I'm going to be creating a 'Blanket Bank' to collect blankets and make sure they get to the people who need them most. It's one thing I can do. And I'm inviting you to join me.

How it Works

Decent size + quality blankets that are easily available for me to buy locally and immediately are around US$25 each — that's around ZAR360.

Buy the Blankets

I'll gather any funds sent and head out to buy the blankets.

Deliver the Blankets

I'll deliver the blankets to local NGOs who are currently distributing things to communities in need.

Share the Results

I'll share results/photos/links etc so you know how it is going.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

— Archbishop Desmond Tutu

International Payments via PayPal

Buy A Blanket · $25

South African Payments via PayFast

Buy a Blanket · ZAR360

Thank You

All of the money donated will go directly towards the purchase of blankets to distribute to communities affected by the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Please keep an eye on my Instagram account @_bearista for updates on the project, or feel free to contact me if you have any questions.