Staff Reporter
The Municipality of Redcliff has donated food hampers to more than 150 vulnerable residents and two wheelchairs to people living with disabilities under this year’s Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund, Redcliff Mayor Councillor Vincent Shangwa Masiiwa has said.
In an interview, Cllr Masiiwa said the initiative, which raised about US$20 000 from various stakeholders, was aimed at easing hardships faced by vulnerable groups during the festive season.
He said the council distributed about 150 food hampers to beneficiaries across Redcliff, targeting the elderly, orphans, people living with disabilities and those who are terminally ill.
“As part of the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund distribution, we managed to distribute about 150 food hampers,” said Cllr Masiiwa. “We also donated a hamper to Rutendo Old People’s Home in Rutendo, Redcliff.”
The hamper donated to the old people’s home included rice, meat, cooking oil, sugar, flour and mealie-meal, according to the mayor.
Cllr Masiiwa added that the municipality also donated two brand new wheelchairs to two residents living with disabilities as part of the programme.
Looking ahead, he said the local authority plans to use part of the Cheer Fund proceeds to pay school fees for children from disadvantaged families when schools open next year.
“We are also going to pay school fees in January for poor families using proceeds from the Cheer Fund,” he said.
The Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund is an annual initiative supported by stakeholders in Redcliff to assist vulnerable members of the community.
