VIDEO: North Durban Lions rally to support Briardene fire victims
The North Durban Lions run multiple community projects, including collecting baby bags for new mothers in need, monthly food parcel deliveries, a mental health and wellness awareness campaign in October, and support for the upcoming Icon Durban fundraiser. They are also preparing to host the KZN Midyear Forum in November.
THE North Durban Lions have stepped in to assist people left destitute after a devastating fire tore through the Briardene informal settlement three weeks ago, destroying the homes of nearly 30 families.
Living up to the slogan, “Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion,” the service club mobilised within hours of hearing about the blaze. By early afternoon on the same day, members had gathered donations and began providing relief to fire victims.
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“We heard of the incident and knew we had items available,” said North Durban Lions Club president Vicki van Wyk. “We offered assistance and the response and project grew from there.”
Relief efforts included clothing, shoes, bedding, blankets, toiletries, buckets, and kitchen items, along with food such as samp, maize, beans, vegetables, and cooked meals.
Around 50 people were directly assisted during the initial relief operation.
Van Wyk said even members of the public spontaneously joined in after seeing the Lions purchasing goods.
“On the first day, right at the fires, was a young lad just sitting on the remains of his home. And then there was Happiness, whose enthusiasm and dedication stood out as she cooked for everyone despite her own loss.”
The local community and businesses rallied behind the effort. Donations poured in through drop-off points at Durban North Pharmacy and Riverside SPAR, while a newly formed community organisation secured a large financial donation through East Coast Radio.
“The donations never stopped coming. The community is always so generous,” said Van Wyk.
The Lions, assisted by the Cowies Hill Lions, spent more than two days sorting, packing, and redistributing aid from their clubhouse, which filled up and emptied multiple times. Despite the scale of the operation, Van Wyk said the process ran smoothly.
@caxtonlocalmedia THE North Durban Lions have stepped in to assist people left destitute after a devastating fire tore through the Briardene informal settlement three weeks ago, destroying the homes of nearly 30 families. Living up to the slogan, “Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion,” the service club mobilised within hours of hearing about the blaze. By early afternoon on the same day, members had gathered donations and began providing relief to fire victims. “We heard of the incident and knew we had items available,” said North Durban Lions Club president Vicki van Wyk. “We offered assistance and the response and project grew from there.” Relief efforts included clothing, shoes, bedding, blankets, toiletries, buckets, and kitchen items, along with food such as samp, maize, beans, vegetables, and cooked meals. #NorthglenNews #durbannorthlions #fire #durbannews
But she stressed that long-term support for displaced families is lacking.
“Immediate relief is never enough. Going forward, Lions are always available to assist,” she said.
Van Wyk encouraged the public to get involved.
“People can volunteer their time, skills, or finances. Young people can join our Leo Club, which helps them with community service hours. The needs in our communities are so big, but there is always someone to uplift and support and we always have fun doing it.”
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