Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival raises more than R1m for local charities
25. Nov, 2009
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An incredible R1,189 957 is the amount that 10 days of fun raised for local charities and non-profit organisations in Knysna.
Mike Mills, Chairman of the Knysna Tourism Board, said that the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival has grown into an incredible asset for Knysna. “In addition to the economic impact, the funds raised for charity will make a difference where it is needed most in the community. Four years ago we introduced a condition that all profit-based events on the official programme must contribute to a local charity or non-profit organisation, and the initiative is clearly paying off.”
He went on to say that this achievement would have been impossible without the help of festival sponsors. “Pick n Pay came on board six years ago, and since then the Festival has gone from strength to strength. Their contribution ensures that the Festival continues to grow and that we can offer an enhanced experience year after year. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Pick n Pay team for their support of the Festival. They have just renewed their sponsorship for another five years, and this is key in ensuring the Festival’s sustainability.”
The success of the Festival over the past few years also attracted a number of other sponsors. “I want to thank Heineken, Independent Newspapers, Tabasco, The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, as well as Cape Town Routes Unlimited for their contribution to helping Knysna Tourism boost the town’s economy during what is historically our ‘off season’, and of course, for the increased amount we were able to raise for charity.”
Jonathan Ackerman, Marketing Director of Pick n Pay, said that one of Pick n Pay’s priorities is to encourage their staff and customers to embrace healthy lifestyles; and that the Festival was an excellent platform from which to communicate this message “The activities, which cater for all ages, are all geared to having fun in a ways that are both healthy and accessible. I have run the half marathon a few times and it is a wonderful experience. In addition to this, the heart of the Festival is in the right place – we are thrilled that through the various events we were able to raise more than R1-million for the local community. If you consider our company philosophy, it makes perfect sense to partner with the Knysna Oyster Festival.”
The biggest contributors toward the money raised were the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour, which raised R500,000, and the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon and Half Marathon, which raised R271,000.
Mills said that organisers have already started with arrangements for next year’s Festival. “The Festival will take place from 2 to 11 July, during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, which essentially means that Knysna is gearing up for what promises to be the busiest Festival ever.”
My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
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