Herald Reporter
THE Convergence Community Emergency Response Team (ConCERT) has intensified efforts to raise funds towards acquiring an ambulance after supporting an anti-drug and substance abuse awareness march and participating in a charity fundraising race meeting in Borrowdale, Harare, on Saturday.
The community-based emergency response initiative provided support during a march organised as part of a campaign against drug and substance abuse before proceeding to Borrowdale Park Racecourse, where it used the Purple Bloom and Pink Ribbons race day to advance its ambulance fundraising drive.
The activities highlighted ConCERT’s growing involvement in community safety, emergency preparedness, and public awareness, as the organisation seeks resources to strengthen its capacity to provide life-saving assistance before professional emergency services arrive.
During the morning march, participants walked from the Harare Drive and Borrowdale Road intersection along Borrowdale Road to Sam Levy Village Shopping Mall, where the anti-drug awareness campaign was held. Members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police Harare Suburban Crime Liaison Committee also joined the march in support of efforts to combat drug and substance abuse.
ConCERT provided a support vehicle and stood ready to assist participants who might require help along the route. Its team carried drinking water and oral rehydration salts to help participants manage the effects of heat and physical exertion. The organisation’s participation demonstrated how community emergency-response services can complement awareness campaigns by providing practical support while promoting public safety.
ConCERT Administrative Director Mrs Patricia Townsend said the organisation regarded community engagement and emergency preparedness as central to its work.
“Community safety involves more than responding when an emergency occurs. It also means participating in initiatives that protect lives, promote responsible behaviour and encourage people to look after one another,” she said.
“Our participation in the anti-drug awareness campaign allowed us to support an important community initiative while remaining prepared to assist anyone who might need help along the route.”
The march was followed by ConCERT’s participation in the Purple Bloom and Pink Ribbons race meeting at Borrowdale Park Racecourse, which combined horse racing, fashion, entertainment, and breast cancer awareness. According to the published race-day programme, ConCERT’s sponsored race was Race Two, the ConCERT Convergence Divided Handicap over 1,600 metres, scheduled for 12.35pm.
Mrs Townsend presented the trophy to the winner of the race, providing a platform for the organisation to raise awareness of its work and appeal for support towards acquiring an ambulance. The event also featured fashion showcases and live performances by artists including Jah Prayzah, Feli Nandi, Victor Kunonga, and Shami Tuku.
While the race meeting attracted attention through its sporting and entertainment programme, ConCERT’s participation focused on mobilising resources for a practical community need: strengthening emergency response capacity.
ConCERT Operations Director Mr Webster Jaricha said that acquiring an ambulance would be an important step towards improving the organisation’s ability to assist people in emergencies.
“Every minute matters when someone is injured or suddenly falls ill. Our volunteers are committed to providing assistance, but having the appropriate vehicle and equipment would strengthen our ability to reach people in need and support them while they await professional medical care,” he said.
“We are appealing to individuals, companies and organisations to partner with us in making the ambulance a reality. This is an investment in community safety and in the preservation of human life,” said Mr Jaricha.
ConCERT operates as a community-focused emergency response initiative, providing roadside first aid and other assistance while supporting the wider emergency medical services system. Its work is particularly important in the period between an incident occurring and the arrival of professional medical assistance, when prompt first aid can help reduce further harm.
Mr Jaricha said ConCERT relied on public support and donations to sustain its community emergency-response operations, including training and mobilisation. The organisation is now seeking corporate sponsors and other partners to support its ambulance acquisition campaign.
In return, ConCERT is offering branding and promotional opportunities to businesses interested in associating themselves with community safety, road safety awareness, and emergency preparedness. Potential sponsors can contact ConCERT on 0772 264 159 or 0775 471 922 to discuss possible partnerships.
The organisation has expressed gratitude to its sponsors, supporters, and volunteers, whose contributions help sustain its activities. ConCERT is encouraging businesses to consider financial contributions, equipment, vehicle support, and other forms of assistance that could strengthen its capacity to respond to emergencies.
The organisation’s fundraising drive comes amid continued calls for improved road safety and stronger emergency-response arrangements, with community participation remaining an important part of efforts to reduce preventable deaths and injuries.
ConCERT says its long-term objective is to build stronger, better-prepared communities through first-aid training, public awareness, volunteer mobilisation, and partnerships with organisations working in emergency services. Its message to potential partners is that supporting emergency preparedness is an investment in the safety and wellbeing of the wider community.
