Readers’ campaign raises R22 000 for school

READERS have opened up their hearts to the plight of Bayview Primary School in Helenvale by donating just more than R22 000 after it was ravaged by a fire.

The devastating blaze was started by thieves during a burglary in November.

Four classrooms and a storeroom filled with just-delivered new textbooks, exercise books and stationery were destroyed.

After The Herald appealed for assistance, generous readers donated a whopping R22 100, which the school said would go towards repair work.

Principal Tyrone Johannes said he was humbled by people who had supported the school.

“This will really assist us in overcoming our challenges,” Johannes said.

“I feel grateful and humbled by this gesture.

“The money will go towards fitting new windows, painting and light fittings.

“There are 10 classrooms we are planning to fix, but the four that were destroyed by the fire are not safe for the children.

“We are looking at renovating our other classrooms.”

Johannes said residents and other volunteers were clearing the rubble from the classrooms.

Others were taking away rubbish in their vehicles, and the school would now be able to give them R200 for fuel.

“We have submitted all necessary paperwork to our circuit manager at the department, but we have not received any word back yet.

“However, we are not going to sit around and wait. We will use the little that we have.”

According to Johannes, since news broke of the fire, the school had also received donations of books and stationery from other schools.

“Lindsay Pearson, the principal of Grey Junior School, really helped us – they delivered their entire consignment of stationery to us,” he said.

“We also received tables from Sanctor High and two copiers from Super Save Service Station in Commercial Road.”

Johannes said Rufane Donkin Primary School principal Heather Theron had also delivered additional hard-cover books, while Cape