Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund to bring joy to the vulnerable

As the festive season approaches, the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund has once again stepped in to ensure the less privileged in Bulawayo can experience the joy of the holidays.

The 2024 fund was officially launched last week at a local restaurant, with the aim of collecting and distributing donations to those in need.

The initiative targets various groups, including elderly residents in care homes, vulnerable children and individuals with disabilities. Its aim is to provide tangible support, ensuring that those in need can partake in the festive spirit.

Among the homes set to benefit are Barbara Barrel Centre, Rhodes Jubilee Old People’s Home, Garden Park, Entembeni Old People’s Home, Silethemba Old People’s Home, Railstein Home, Edith Duly and numerous children’s homes such as Thembiso, John Smale, St Francis, Sandra Jones, Queen Elizabeth, SOS and Thuthuka.

During the launch, a presentation by Bulawayo City Council’s cheer fund treasurer Nobuhle Dube, delivered on her behalf by corporate communications officer Bongiwe Ngwenya, revealed the scale of the programme.

“The 2024 Cheer Fund will assist 15 122 beneficiaries, including 743 individuals from care homes and 14 379 registered with the Bulawayo City Council Social Welfare Department.

“These include elderly people living within our communities, vulnerable children and individuals with disabilities,” she said.
The fund aims to address critical needs, such as: basic necessities: food, soap and clothing; education: school uniforms, educational equipment and technical skills training for children over 18 still in care; and infrastructure improvements: refurbishing hostels and drilling boreholes to combat water shortages and support gardening initiatives.

Bulawayo Mayor, councillor David Coltart, shared the importance of the initiative.

“I assure you that every donation will be properly accounted for and directed to the needy. While our primary focus is on Christmas, we envision transforming this into a year-long fund to address ongoing challenges such as school fees, critical illnesses and other emergencies.”

Mayor Coltart highlighted the tough economic environment but appealed to the public and businesses to contribute generously.
“Even small donations can make a big difference. Tonight, we plant the seed of hope and I believe it will grow into a powerful force for good in the weeks and months ahead,” he said.

The fund has already received its first major donation, with Evergold Company contributing a tonne of mealie-meal.
Mayor Coltart also announced plans to launch a website with banking details to encourage more contributions.

As the people of Bulawayo rally together, the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund represents a beacon of hope for the city’s most vulnerable, ensuring that the festive season is filled with joy, dignity and care.