KZN donates R1.6-million to Toy Story!

In a new record for East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game, the people of KZN pledged a whopping R1 649 612-million to assist the province’s destitute children.

The Pavilion Shopping Centre saw a string of music stars, sport stars, actors and celebrity bloggers streaming in from 5.30am to help raise funds on Toy Story Corporate Day. Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos, musicians Lloyd Cele, DJ Thira, Matthew Mole, Mandoza, Gangs of Ballet, Majozi, Rubber Duc, Miss eThekwini Lisanne Lazarus and sports stars Cameron Delport (The Dolphins), Tonderai Chavhanga (The Sharks) and Francois Kleinhans (The Sharks) all made space in their diaries on Friday. 

“We’d like to thank every single person and business in KZN who has given selflessly for the sake of our children,” said our General Manager, Trish Taylor. “You always rally to our call to help and because of each and every one of you, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of some of the most needy children in our province. So, from the bottom of our hearts, a huge thank you, KZN!”

Darren Maule and the East Coast Breakfast team raised the bar early in the day, with R545 000 in donations. Darren made good on his promise to dye his hair “Eminem blonde” after accepting the challenge from listeners.

“I can tell blonde jokes now!” says Darren, “because I’m one of them!”  

(Above: Gangs of Ballet help raise funds) 

(Above: eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo with Kevin Minter-Brown and Zaba) 

(Above: Lloyd Cele and Mandoza help out at the pledge lines) 

(Above: Jane Linley-Thomas with Durban’s Olympic golden boy, Chad le Clos) 

eThekwini mayor, James Nxumlao, pledged R1000 from his own pocket when he visited East Coast Radio at the Pavilion shopping centre from where the station broadcast live from 6am. “It is the responsibility of everyone to help the children of our province because they are our future leaders,” Nxumalo said. “Therefore as a municipality we have decided to support the campaign to assist child-headed households, especially those who have lost their parents to HIV/Aids. All of us have to support initiatives like this.” 

 “Ultimately it is about the children, and four years of aligning ourselves by sponsoring this initiative is an immeasurable return on investment," says Bernie Joshua, Game’s Electronic Media Manager. “Our heartfelt thanks to everyone in KZN.” 

Every cent of the R1 649 612 million raised on Corporate Day goes towards buying food parcels for underprivileged children in the province, in particular child-headed households.

Each is valued at R350 and contains items that can feed a family of four to six for around five weeks. This ensures the children do not go hungry over the long end-of-year school holidays. 

Make an online donation to East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game here.