East Rand Palliative Care (ERPC) no longer operates as Hospice East Rand and does not do door-to-door collections.

The ERPC’s executive committee issued this warning following reports of bogus fundraisers visiting old-age homes, soliciting cash donations on behalf of Hospice East Rand.

According to the home-based palliative care organisation’s media liaison, Jonquil Siepman, several old-age homes across Ekurhuleni have alerted the ERPC to unknown individuals approaching residents and claiming to raise funds for Hospice.

“These individuals are not affiliated with our organisation and we appeal to anyone with information regarding these ‘fundraisers’ to report it to us.”

Siepman said that following its official name change in February, the organisation no longer uses the term or name Hospice, and no legitimate representative would refer to the ERPC in this manner.

“The ERPC will never send staff or volunteers to old age homes or residential areas to do cash collections,” said Siepman.

“These unscrupulous scammers are misusing a name that the public recognises and trusts. We urge the community not to give money to anyone who cannot provide a verified and official East Rand Palliative Care identification.

“Should this organisation or its representatives intend to visit old-age homes or complexes, written confirmation will be shared with residents, by management.”

The ERPC remains committed to transparency and integrity in all its operations and thanks the community for its ongoing support.

To verify if any communication is legitimate or to report an incident, contact the ERPC on 011 422 1531 or info@erpc.org.za