On Thursday, East Coast Radio presenter and MTN Y’ello Rose ambassador, Abi Ray, pollinated Pinetown with yellow love as she handed over a donation of R25 000 to the Open Door Crisis Care Centre.
In the photo: DJ Abi Ray and Open Door Crisis Care Centre’s Thora Mansfield
Abi’s donation will help the non-profit organisation (NPO) to realise its vision of extending its trauma and counselling centre for children at its Ikhaya le Themba centre in Pinetown.
Last year, MTN launched a campaign called Y’ello Rose which identified 13 influential women in radio who have made an impact in the South African society through their careers behind the microphone.
Desiree Pooe, Senior Manager of Sponsorships and Events at MTN SA further explains: “Each Y’ello Rose ambassador received R100 000 courtesy of MTN to donate to a charity of their choice. Abi was chosen as an ambassador and we are proud to witness her continuing to do amazing work for her community.”
Abi hosts The Pulse on East Coast Radio between 6 and 9pm, Monday to Friday. “When I was told that I’d be the MTN Y’ello Rose ambassador, I was completely blown away,” she says. “Having decided on which charity to choose, I’m so excited to see the developments of my Y’ello Rose campaign. There isn’t a better feeling than bringing help to those who need it.”
The DJ chose the Open Door Crisis Centre because of the work it does to empower women who’ve experienced traumatic abuse from their partners, through counselling and education. The organisation works within the city as well as in the rural areas and its reach of a large pool of people influenced Abi’s decision to donate her MTN Y’ello Rose cheque to the NPO.
“As an NPO, we are always in dire need of funds from responsible corporate citizens and influential personalities like Abi Ray to help us help those who can’t help themselves,” says Thora Mansfield, Director of the Pinetown Open Door Crisis Care Centre.
“Through the donation, we will be able to buy a Wendy house and equip it with the necessary furniture, carpeting and education material that we use to counsel children at Ikhaya le Themba. We will also be able to build capacity and resources to realise our vision and mission.”
Abi will donate to the Open Door Crisis Care Centre in four phases, this being the first. The following handovers to the centre will take place at various homes and shelters in the rural areas to assist the charity with the work they do in those areas.