Select a region
A charity dinner held in Jersey in September has raised funds to modify a property in Cape Town into an orphanage. The £20,000 raised also means that a feeding programme can be extended in one of the poorest townships in South Africa.
The Goal50 Gala dinner saw guests being entertained by Martin Toal, one of the UK’s leading tenors. Goal50 is a Channel Islands charity which raises money for a soccer academy and orphanage for underprivileged children in Cape Town
Goal50 was set up by Channel Islander, Nigel Pascoe after he saw the poverty and lack of hope many children find themselves facing in some Cape Town communities. Mr Pascoe and his wife, Jayne, have just returned from a visit to the charity projects, including their first property which is to be extended and used as an orphanage.
He said: "It is tremendously exciting to see the building which is going to give so much hope to children who literally had no options other than to join a gang and take drugs. During our trip we were able to provide 1,300 meals, with over 40,000 meals having been provided in 2014, and the money we raised in Jersey will be able to extend this feeding programme next year."
The couple also made a visit to Khayelitsha, the largest township in Cape Town, where over one million people live.
Mr Pascoe said: "I have never seen such intense over crowding, it is hard to believe that people live in such appalling places. You have to see it to believe it. If Goal50 can get the financial support, another Feeding Programme will be established at Khayelitsha. At the Langa township Feeding Programme, the meal which is provided is often the only nutritional food that the people will have in the course of the week."
Goal50 was set up by Mr Pascoe after he visited the GCU soccer academy which had been set up by Mario Van Niekerk, a former street gang leader. The charity also helps with a job creation scheme as unemployment is 80% in the area with no benefits system. The scheme is helping to give people some simple skills which will help individuals and the community.
Since setting up the charity in 2010, he has raised more than £200,000 in the Channel Islands. The Gala Dinner is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year but the charity is looking for other ways to raise money, and anyone interested in helping should contact Mr Pascoe on 07781 199374.
For further information about Goal50 visit: www.goal50.com
