Events on the DP World Tour schedule have long played their part in supporting charitable causes and that was in evidence once again at the Jonsson Workwear Open last week.
As part of Jonsson Workwear’s Birdies with Purpose, every birdie, eagle or albatross made by the professionals at Glendower Golf Club saw the company donate money to its official tournament charity – Rally to Read.
A total of R262 000 was raised at the tournament, co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour, with the funds playing an important role in the initiative’s goal of promoting literacy at grassroots level, in rural schools across South Africa.
Jonsson Workwear’s support has helped the initiative reach 925 schools, 15 000 teachers and 620 000 learners. This year alone, 60 schools, 22,096 learners and 564 teachers will benefit from Rally to Ready support.
Rally to Read was launched in 1998 as a public-private partnership to help improve the language, literacy and communication skills of learners at selected disadvantaged primary schools in remote rural areas.
“Jonsson Workwear have been critical to the programme,” Alupheli Sithebe, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rally to Read National Steering Committee.
“The consistency of their support allows the ongoing long-term partnerships that the schools need.
“It’s hard to change the capacity of a school in a year to elevate their literacy capabilities, so having the consistency of support from Jonsson Workwear means we are able to see that process through.”
Speaking about the fundraising effort, Nick Jonsson, Chairman and CEO of Jonsson Workwear, added: “We’ve been involved with Rally to Read for over 20 years, and several years ago we became the lead sponsor.
“It’s an incredible initiative and there is such a dire need for it in our country. We thought this was another way we could highlight the amazing work they do and assist them with funding, and we’re thrilled to have done that this year.”
