Silent Auction Fundraiser
Keeping Young Girls Safe and In Education
I'm hosting an ONLINE silent auction fundraiser, to raise £3,000, in support of 1000 Hills and in particular a young lady called Tracy.
It's time-sensitive, which is why I've chosen to host this particular event online.
I'll be auctioning a mixture of goodies, thanks to many generous businesses, and organisations.
ALL money raised will go directly to 1000 Hills.
Bidding Opens - Friday 21st July at 7pm
How You Can Get Involved
Some of the items up for grabs...
 45 Min Yoga at home with Emily Absalom |  1 month of fitness coaching with Victoria Winterford |  Bovey Castle - Afternoon tea for 2 |
|---|---|---|
 Photoshoot |  Yoga and Meditation Classes |  Guasha Facial |
 Temple Spa Voucher |  Footgolf for 4 |  Gel Manicure |
 Louise Jenner Coaching Session |  Cut & Blowdry at Altered Image |  Saddle Fit |
 Pottery Painting For 2 |  BIAB or Acrylic Set |  Car Valet |
 Exeter City FC Match Tickets |
Where will the money be spent?
ALL money raised will go directly to 1000 Hills, in South Africa. The first £3,000 will pay for Tracy to go to Boarding School, and any additional money raised will go towards helping keep the other girls safe, and paying for additional school fees.
Who's Tracy? Great question!
I first met Tracy in 2017, now aged 12, on one of my bi-yearly volunteering trips to South Africa. She forms part of the afterschool care programme at 1000 Hills Community Helpers, where they support her and her family with food, clothing, school supplies and hygiene products. Home life has not been easy for Tracy. Her mother is a drug user and her sister (aged 15) has just had a baby. Tracy wants a better life for herself.
Why does Tracy want, and need, to go to Boarding School?
This year my software business, Intellek, supported Tracy's wishes of going to a better high school outside of the local community, in a town called Pietermaritzburg, to ensure she gets the best education available to her. The High School has given her a real opportunity at having a future. She recently shared the news that she was selected to be an RCL member, which means that she will be eligible to become a prefect when she becomes a senior. She recently scored 73% on her most recent English test and is truly excelling.
However, 5 months into the school year, Tracy is facing verbal harassment from the boys in the community when she returns home from school, due to her lighter skin. She does not feel safe coming home anymore and is concerned she will be physically abused like her older sister, fall out of the educational system, and end up pregnant.
Tracy loves her school and wants to board full-time and continue to receive an excellent education.
We're trying to raise the £3,000 needed for annual boarding fees, to allow Tracy to get the best safety and education she can possibly get.
What about the other girls in the community and what about any extra funds that might be raised through the auction?
Another great question. Whilst we cannot guarantee the safety of every child in the Inchanga community, we are working with 1000 Hills to help keep them safe. Many of the girls aren't experiencing what Tracy is because they are darker skinned, however, we want them all to feel safe if any situation was to arise.
We will use any additional funds to send any other girls that would like to go to Boarding School, but also, we're hoping to enrol the girls into self-defence classes.