MAKING PETS SEW HAPPY

Giving back in honour of Mandela Day, an entire community came together for a sew-a-thon –hosted by Fish Hoek High School – to create 200 dog and cat beds for animal welfare.

Using recycled material, parents, learners, teachers and members of the community worked together over the course of eight Tuesdays.

Sherri Bell, head of marketing and fundraising at Fish Hoek High School, told People’s Post that more than a ton of material was saved from landfills and used to create the beds.

“On Saturday 11 June, we held a huge sew-a-thon which was attended by approximately 200 people throughout the day.

“The sew-a-thon was a hugely heart-warming day. So many hands from learners, SRC, teachers, past pupils, parents, grannies, future pupils and parents and friends of Fish Hoek High School all helped.

“We had fabric off-cuts donated, we were sponsored with dress-making scissors and the whole community came together and donated a huge bunch of things.

“We had 20 sewing machines and a huge circle of kids sitting together, working together, while others would count and pack.”

She added that it took eight weeks of planning for the sew-a-thon to come together so that the pet beds would be completed in time for Mandela Day, Monday 18 July.

“It is the biggest one we have done and we all came together for this massive project. It weighed over one ton.

“Nothing was bought, it was all recycled. We saved over a ton from going to the landfill, we brought so many people together, the whole community.

“Many doggies and kitties will be hugely grateful for the extra warmth and comfort this winter,” said Bell.

The bulk of the beds, as well as clothing and school shoes donated, will go to Animal Lifeline for distribution in the farming communities of Citrusdal and Redelinghuys while the balance of beds and blankets will be distributed locally.

“We have completed a total of 200 dog/cat beds. About 30 beds will be distributed to Bark Backers, which leaves us with about 20 more beds for any Animal Rescue organisation in need.

“We were also able to donate about 40 blankets and towels to Liezel van Vollenhoven in Ocean View to place in the kennels that she provides for the dogs in Ocean View.”

Meanwhile, commenting on the sew-a-thon via social media, Lyn Whittle wrote: “Well done. What an example you have set for schools.”

Eve Hopf wrote: “What a fabulous day, thank you Fish Hoek High School. Very well organised by Shelli, so excited for all the fur children who will sleep warmer and softer after such an awesome initiative.”