February 2010 - Golf Day in aid of Sunshine  Association

It is always such a blessing when an industry gets together and opens its coffers to support a worthwhile cause.

On the 24th of February SAVRALA (South African Vehicle Rental And Leasing Association) hosted their annual Golf Day for its members at the Johannesburg Country Club to raise funds and create awareness for the Sunshine Association – a very unique charity organisation.

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April 2009 - Golf Day nets R50 000 for Marang House

Based in Northcliff, Gauteng, Marang House provides professional medical care in a non-institutional, home-like environment to seriously ill children. Receiving the cheque from SAVRALA president Paul Pauwen is Marang’s Pieter Ernst.

SAVRALA’s 2009 Community Outreach Golf Challenge was held at the Ebotse Golf and Country Estate on Wednesday 25 February. As always, our members put their full weight behind the charity event with 120 players turning out on the day and 10 member companies sponsoring holes. Thanks to all SAVRALA members for their fantastic support of the day.

Our next golfing fundraiser takes place in February 2010.

April 2008 - SAVRALA's 2008 Golf Day STEPS forward with R100 000

Thanks to the unprecedented support shown by SAVRALA's members, the 2008 Community Outreach Golf Day held during April in Benoni, raised R100 000 for STEPS Charity.

In a letter of thanks to the association, Karen Moss, CEO of STEPS Charity said she has been amazed by the generosity shown over the past three years.

"It has been an honour to work with your association and members over the past three years and we are so pleased that the golf day has grown in stature and fundraising year-on-year. Without SAVRALA’s assistance, we would never have been able to achieve as much as we have been able to.

“Since receiving SAVRALA's first donation in February 2006, some of our milestones to date include:

• 2006: 1st Ponseti clubfoot seminar – Focus on paediatric orthopaedic surgeons

• 2007: 2nd Ponseti clubfoot seminar – Focus on Public Health

• 2008: Johannesburg Hospital Ponseti Clubfoot Clinic Project

• 2008: 1st Annual Clubfoot awareness week 3 - 9 June (Started in SA, STEPS UK then joined us)

• 2008 - Karen Moss nominated for Shoprite Checkers Woman of the Year (Health category)

"These are only the first steps in our long-term programme working with medical professionals to revolutionise clubfoot care for all South African babies, no matter their socio-economic status.

"As you may know, congenital clubfoot is more common in South Africa than the world average and there are around 2 000 babies born here every year that need treatment for clubfoot. Although we are encouraged by our progress, there is still so much more work to do with government as well as private and public health care facilities to ensure that the Ponseti method becomes the accepted standard for clubfoot.

"On behalf of the future generations of clubfoot babies of South Africa, STEPS extends our warmest gratitude to you and all the wonderful members of SAVRALA.

On a personal note, I am so touched by the fact that due to our combined efforts, so many babies have the chance for the pain-free and effective treatment that my husband Steve and I were able to get for our son Alex in the US.

We trust that we will have the opportunity to work with SAVRALA again in the future."


The 2009 SAVRALA Community Outreach Golf Challenge is scheduled for February 2009.

October 2007 – R30 000 boost for Marang House

For the second year in succession, Marang House was the worthy recipient of R30 000 which was contributed by SAVRALA and its members. Once again, a grateful Pieter Ernst was on hand to receive the cheque from SAVRALA president Paul Pauwen.

Following its winning tradition of the past few years - and in spite of not taking home the Overall Gold award - Nissan South Africa made a donation of R10 000 to Marang House. U-Drive Car & Van Rental contributed a further R10 000 to the organisation.

February 2007 - SAVRALA golf day raises R80 000 for STEPS

For the second year in succession, STEPS Charity was the beneficiary of SAVRALA's 2007 Community Outreach Golf Challenge which recently took place at Modderfontein Golf Course.

Captured at prizegiving: MC Neil Andrews (left), Karen Moss, CEO of STEPS Charity and SAVRALA president, Paul Pauwen

Click here for the full report-back and all the pics.

October 2006 – Marang House is the worthy beneficiary!

At the 2006 Manufacturer of the Year Awards, an amount of R30 000 was contributed by SAVRALA and its members to MARANG HOUSE, a registered non-profit organisation founded by the late Dr Pieter Ernst in June 1998.

Pictured here is Pieter Ernst Jr (left) who, at the tender age of 20, has opted to fill his late father’s shoes and publicly promote this worthy institution and at the same time, work towards a law degree through UNISA. Newly elected association president, Paul Pauwen hands Pieter the cheque.

And there’s more … during his winner’s speech and on behalf of Nissan SA, Chris Schell, once again agreed to match SAVRALA’s donation to Marang House. Well done!

About Marang House …
Many South African children suffer from life-threatening diseases and are not fortunate enough to have home environments that will facilitate their recuperation and restoration to normal health. The core objective of Marang House, situated in Northcliff, Johannesburg is to provide these children from disadvantaged backgrounds with a stable home environment thereby enhancing their likelihood of full recovery and improving their chances of fulfilling their dreams.

With the capacity to accommodate 11 children between the ages of 4 and 14 in the home at any one time, Marang House has celebrated the successful recovery of more than 30 children, with Johannesburg Hospital’s Dr Cecil Levy affirming that more than 70% of the children cared for at Marang House would not otherwise have survived!

For more information on Marang House, log on to www.maranghouse.com

February 2006 - SAVRALA Golf Challenge takes STEPS R60 000 forward!

SAVRALA’s 2006 Community Outreach Golf Challenge was held under cloudy skies at Johannesburg’s Houghton Golf Course on 21 February and, by the close of day, R60 000 had been raised in support of STEPS Charity. This is a registered non-profit organisation that assists babies and children with lower limb disorders, congenital hip dysplasia and clubfoot, for example.

Celebrating at the 19th hole, from left, Karen Moss, CEO and board director of STEPS Charity, comedian Trevor Gumbi, MC Rose Motene, SAVRALA’s Wayne Duvenage and event organiser, Elaine Montague.

Click here for full report-back with all the pics.

October 2005 - Donation To Hospice Association Of The Witwatersrand

Awarded at the Manufacturer of the Year Awards - 28 October 2005

During 2005, the  Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand was, once again, the beneficiary of SAVRALA’s Community Outreach Programme. On hand to receive a cheque in the amount of R25 000.00 and give a speech of thanks was Barry Crystal, vice chairman of the Hospice’s board of governors. Paul Pauwen and Sherl Camera officiated at the handover.

During Chris Schell’s winner’s speech, on behalf of Nissan South Africa, he once again agreed to match our donation to Hospice. Thank you and well done Nissan!

February 2005 - SAVRALA tees off in support of Hospice

On 15 February 2005, SAVRALA hosted its inaugural Community Outreach Golf Challenge in support of the Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand.

In addition to a full field of players, the event attracted a host of local sports and entertainment celebrities and raised R140 000 for Wits Hospice, an organisation which administers a number of care-giving facilities for terminally ill patients throughout greater Johannesburg and Soweto.

Master of Ceremonies was local funny girl, Amanda Forrow while other celebrities who showed their support for the fund-raiser included veteran marathon runner Bruce Fordyce and Springbok rowers and Athens Olympic bronze medallists, Don Cech and Ramon di Clemente.

Tempest Car Hire’s Leslie Matthews and his guests were the winning four-ball on the day. Congratulations!

October 2004 – R25 000 for Hospice coffers

Barry Crystal accepts a cheque on behalf of Wits Hospice from SAVRALA’s Sherl Camera.

October 2003 – Wits Hospice nominated as SAVRALA beneficiary

	SAVRALA president, John Broadway hands a cheque in the amount of R25 000 to Barry Crystal, chairman of Wits Hospice’s Board of Governors.

“Over the years, thousands of patients and their loved ones have experienced the compassionate support of our Hospice - whether through our Home Care nurses, our In-Patient Unit or the counselling and Day Care services we offer,” said Crystal.

In 2003, when Nissan South Africa scooped the title of Manufacturer of the Year, Nissan’s Mike Whitfield set a precedent equaling SAVRALA’s R25 000 donation to Hospice. On taking top honours again in 2004, Nissan’s Chris Schell again matched SAVRALA’s donation to Hospice.

October 2002 – Showing a social conscience …

	SAVRALA's Sherl Preston (left) and John Broadway presenting the cheque to Lollie Timm and Dr Nthato Motlana.

A highlight of the Manufacturer of the Year 2002 Awards evening was the donation made to Gauteng's Hamlet Foundation.

Handing a cheque for R25 000 to the Hamlet's president, Dr Nthato Motlana and CEO, Lollie Timm, SAVRALA president, John Broadway said: "It is through the generosity of our members and this evening's sponsors, that this donation is possible."

In his address to the 450-strong audience, McCarthy Motor Holdings CEO, Brand Pretorius added: "As business people, we should be socially responsible and I am delighted to see that SAVRALA members are demonstrating their social conscience." …