Hospice to be liquidated

Volunteers are trying desperately to stop the liquidation of the Hospice West Gauteng branch.

Following the retrenchment of all the staff in January, two volunteers refuse to accept that the non-government organisation (NGO) is closing its doors without trying to salvage what is left.

In early February the News first reported about the NGO closing after receiving a tip-off from one of the organisation’s employees.

It is believed the NGO’s chairperson who not only resigned recently also decided to liquidate the whole organisation that serves the West Rand and areas as far as Fourways.

The treatment and counselling some 174 patients and 70 vulnerable orphaned children currently are receiving are to be stopped immediately as the funds have been frozen until further notice.

Although the nurses and shop assistants work on a volunteer basis at the moment, funds for fuel, transport and medication are needed for the patients.

The Hospice charity shops of Krugersdorp as well as Randfontein have closed their doors for business since the announcement.

After working for three weeks without pay, volunteers Rentia van Zyl and Monica Faure have decided they want to fight back and do everything in their power to save the organisation.

“We know why we go to work every day – we work for the community of the West Rand. Hospice is our passion,” said Van Zyl who has been working for Hospice since its name was changed from Hospice in the West. It is believed that Hospice’s account is showing a surplus, along with its profitable charity shops. Yet both Van Zyl and Faure cannot understand why it is to be liquidated.

The News is awaiting feedback from the chairman about the liquidation.

“We are appealing to the community to assist us in saving Hospice. We are willing to build it up to it’s former glory, but we need the good hearts of Krugersdorp, Roodepoort and Randfontein to help us.”

For more information contact Rentia van Zyl on 076 332 7186 or Monica Faure on 072 813 0192.