Help Crow beat financial crisis
Crow communications officer, Alexandra Kogl shared that the financial loss during the Covid-19 pandemic has been overwhelming.
THE Covid-19 pandemic has left the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow) in a financial crisis.
The devastating effect of the pandemic has been felt at Crow as they have had to cancel all remaining events of the year as well as their biggest income, the International Volunteer Programme. “With the closure of all airports and borders for the foreseeable future, we have also had to suspend the international volunteer programme,” said Crow communications officer, Alexandra Kogl. Speaking about the overwhelming financial loss, Kogl added, “Over a normal year, the volunteer programme would have brought in enough to help cover our operational costs, which amount to approximately R340 000 a month. We have had to turn away dozens of new volunteers and had to reimburse those who had already booked with us, losing well over R300 000 in this time alone. Without the income from the volunteer programme, keeping CROW operational is nearly impossible.”
In fundraising efforts to make up for this loss, Crow has created a Covid-19 relief fund GivenGain page, where the greater public can donate much-needed funds. In less than a week, the initiative has already attracted great backing from the community, with over R50 000 raised in donations within 72 hours of the relief fund going live.
“We received R27 000 through GivenGain and R26 000 in offline donations through EFT, Zapper and Paypal. We are overwhelmed by the response of everyone who donated or shared the campaign and heard our plea. Our hearts are overflowing. But we’re not done yet! As we’re still a long way to reaching our ultimate goal of R250 000 which is the amount we lost because of the pandemic. More than ever we need you guys to spread the word and help us reach that goal. Every little bit helps,” said Alex.
For 40 years, Crow has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured, orphaned or displaced animals. The centre admits over 3000 animals every year whose injuries and problems are mostly caused by human cruelty or urbanisation.
“Providing care for these animals is a specialised, dedicated and costly service and as a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, we are completely donor-funded and rely on the generosity of the public to keep our doors open. We appeal to our supporters, animal lovers and the general public to please help us stay open so that we can continue helping voiceless, injured and innocent animals and can keep educating the next generation about conservation,” she said.
To view Crow’s GivenGain campaign and donate follow this link: https://www.givengain.com/cc/crow-covid19-relief-fund/
Alternatively you can make a donation via Zapper at https://zapper.com/url/9wUKrFPdrh , PayPal at paypal.me/crowkzn or EFT: CROW, First National Bank, Acc: 50770230859, Branch Code: 222126, SWIFT/BIC: FIRNZAJJ
https://www.facebook.com/crow.kzn/photos/a.539490169404670/3166961659990828/?type=3
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. For any comments or queries, contact the National Group Editor, Irma Green at irma@caxton.co.za or the Legal Adviser, Helene Eloff at helene@caxton.co.za.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 876 3179
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
To receive our free newsletter click here
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
