Charity collector told to beat it
BROADACRES - A collector for a well-known animal rehabilitation shelter was recently told to pack up her operation and leave Broadacres Shopping Centre for good.
Tanya Ritchie explained that she has raised thousands of rand for a charity at the Broadacres Centre over the years. “It is by far the best collection point,” she said. “Many customers know me and my dog and frequently donate R100 each.”
Ritchie said that on her last Saturday morning collection she set up the usual banners and positioned herself and her golden retriever in the normal spot. For the first time in the history of her collection she saw a member of the centre management, which is owned by SA Centres, walking around the centre. According to Richie the centre manager, Chris Sick informed the owners of the shop outside which she was doing her collection, that she was “begging” and must leave and never return.
Sick explained that while the incident did take place, he did have his reasons for telling Ritchie to leave. “The centre is under new management,” he said.
“We have to set a standard of what’s allowed and what isn’t.” Sick said that advertisements and promotions were not allowed at the centre, and that it was hard to differentiate between promotion and charity. “I love animals too but I have to do my job,” he said.
According to Sick he has since asked Ritchie to have a meeting at SA Centres’ head office so that the matter can be resolved and she can perhaps get permission to continue her collections.
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