Compassionate Lee ever-ready to serve the community

SELFLESS giving is the art of living. This can be said of the new ward 66 vulnerable groups and gender committee coordinator, Lee Ravenscroft who thrives off helping others in her community.

During the upheaval caused by Covid-19 last year, Lee decided to roll up her sleeves to assist the committees outreach initiative to help the disadvantaged.  “The campaign was run by the then chairperson, Zoe Solomon.  I was involved in packing, loading and delivery of food parcels to families throughout the Bluff.  Now that Zoe has become councillor, she is fully occupied with her duties within the ward but still obviously concerned about people in the community in need of assistance and that is when she approached me.  I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into but I knew that I definitely wanted to help.” 

Drawing inspiration from the committees previous leader, She bravely took up her position as coordinator and began her community work on, 10 January assisting with three families on her first list.

“I started out assisting three families. It has since grown to 30 to date and I’m learning as I go. The whole aim of what I’m doing is to help families and residents in need. There are lots of groups that are doing feedings in the community for the less fortunate, I help supply items and food parcels to these groups as part of the committee’s work. We don’t want to work across purposes, instead we want work together, using our different skills, knowledge and connections to uplift others.”

The committee is involved in projects that support struggling families and individuals as well as those residing in local registered informal settlements. They cover the areas of Oceanview, Grosvenor, Fynnland, Brighton Beach and and Wentworth on the Bluff side of Wentworth Hospital.

“Obviously there are no barriers. If you’re in need, you receive, regardless of race, culture religion or political affiliation. However, the elderly, women and children are first priority. I am aware that some of the work we do is a controversial topic in our suburb but that will not hold us back from offering assistance where needed as long as we are able.”

Although she moved away from the area for 20 years, Lee is no stranger to the Bluff.  She grew up and attended school in the area and moved back in 2010.

She worked at Carrington Heights Primary in Umbilo beginning as a teachers assistant in grade 1 from 2001 ending up as librarian by the time of her departure at the end of 2012, in 2014 she was offered a position in the Media Centre at Fynnland Senior Primary where she herself attended school from 1972 to 1975, from 2014 until her resignation at the end of 2019.

“I lived on the Bluff, I grew up here and in doing the food run with Zoe last year I discovered streets that I never knew existed in my youth. I am happy with how things have been falling into place thus far and helping people definitely brings me a wonderful sense of fulfilment.  I am a happy person and like to bring people joy.  I am giving this my best shot,” said Lee who assured that she would not tolerate any foul and underhanded play or deny a helping hand to anyone in need. The community is currently sourcing a group of people from the community to assist in developing a community vegetable garden at the Bluff Eco Park as part of a new sustainability project.

“There are a good couple of people on my delivery list growing their own vegetables at home but others simply do not have the space.  The ultimate goal is to empower people to help themselves.”

The Vulnerable Groups Committee is reliant on donations of everyday essentials to keep its dream and vision alive.  Items such as rice, mielie meal, samp, beans, soya, flour, salt, cooking oil, bread, jam, sugar, tea bags, toilet paper and toiletries including sanitary wear are needed.  Second hand clothes and shoes in decent condition are also required.  To assist or for more information send a WhatsApp to Lee on 062-944-8289.