Image by Bomber Webb: from left to right- Gilda Scammel, Tannje Strauss, Jacky Weaver, Garth Dominy, Amanda Dixon, Martie Rooi and Sinovia Windwaai

As a fitting culmination to the 2014 Sedgefield Slow Festival, the Slow Fest committee handed over the collective monies raised to the four chosen charities at an afterparty that was held at La Piazza on Saturday 17 May.

Through a careful research and selection process, the committee nominates 4 different charities each year to benefit from the funds collectively raised by all the events. This year the four charities were The Living Cornerstone Altzheimers Home, the Holmes Bursary Fund, the NSRI Boathouse and the Florence Nightingale first aider from Smutsville, Martie Rooi.

Amanda Dixon said: “My committee and I are all thrilled that the organisers of the various 2014 events have made their agreed 5% contributions towards the Slow Festival charity pot this year. It’s always a challenge, but this year we got it right!”

With all contributions in (some events donated 100% of their funds raised), R18 000 was raised which has thus meant that we have allocated R4500 to each of the 4 charities. Representatives of all the charities attended the function and were very grateful to have received this funding. Tannje Strauss, who oversaw the charities portfolio on the Slow Festival committee mentioned, “We will be setting up an account for Martie Rooi at the Sedgefield Pharmacy and this will allow her to get her supply of medical equipment and first aid materials when needed.”

Over and above the 4 Slow Festival 2014 charities, some of the event organisers chose other local and worthy charities and a further R17 430 was donated directly to them; namely KAWS (Knysna Animal Welfare Society) who received R6243, Lions, the NG Kerk, Masithandane, Sedge Mobile Meals and Smutsville Creche.

“Thank you to each and every event organiser and event that contributed this year” said Amanda. “The charity aspect of the Festival is the fundamental base on which the events are run and organised. It is the hope and dream of the committee to continue to raise more funds each year for the various charities and notable causes within our area.”

If you would like the committee to consider your cause to become a Slow Festival 2015 beneficiary, or would like to suggest a project you know of that needs funding, please submit your application and proposal to info@slowfestival.co.za.