MENSTON based charity The Bambisanani Partnership held an auction to raise funds for the community of Vumanhlamvu Primary School, in South Africa, in particular 21 children who lost everything in recent wildfires.

The school’s Principal, William Vilakazi asked for support when ten families were left homeless in the rural, remote Nkandla region which suffers high levels of poverty and deprivation.

William said: “The wild fires have destroyed homes, livestock and forests. Twenty one of our learners were badly affected by the fire. They are homeless, without clothes and food; some of the children cannot return to school right now because of the situation.”

The partnership hastily organised an auction which included some rare and unique signed items from Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Trevor Brooking, Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Geoffrey Boycott, David Gower, Bob Willis, Leeds United, Leeds Rhinos and the Kaiser Chiefs. The auction proved to be a tremendous success raising an amazing £4205.

The auction was organised by David Geldart, chairman of the charity who said: “Working with William, his local community and Eshowe Rotary Club we will now be able to provide the school uniforms, blankets and emergency food parcels required. We will also be able to provide the materials to rebuild the homes that were burnt to the ground. All the labour required for the building work will be provided by volunteers from the local community. With thoughts of these children not just surviving but thriving, our fund raising efforts will also enable us to provide reading books, sports equipment and other educational resources for the children affected”.

In response to the funding news, William Vilakazi said: “I really do not have the words to thank the Bambisanani Partnership for helping us at this time of great tragedy. This community is very poor and some families lost everything they had. The impact of the Bambisanani support will give the children everything they need: food, clothing and a home again; they will be back in school again, happy and learning. All the support will help rebuild this community giving hope and opportunity. Thank you so much to everyone involved, this really will transform the lives of twenty one children and their families.”

David Geldart added: “People have been so kind and generous supporting the auction and making donations. The events in Williams’s community clearly touched the hearts of many people and the response has been wonderful. This funding will genuinely help to change lives and the quality of people’s lives in the remote, rural Nkandla region. I simply cannot thank our supporters and our teams on the ground enough for making this happen.”