2013-04-09 — /travelprnews.com/ — Airports Company South Africa, Cape Town International Airport donated R2 406,115 million towards the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. This donation handover took place at an event held at NSRI’s Rescue 3 Base at the V&A Waterfront. The Airports Company South Africa and its coastal airports have been supporting the NSRI since 1998.
Sea Rescue has over 900 unpaid volunteers who serve their community at 34 NSRI bases around the country. These volunteers are available 24/7/365 and will drop whatever they are doing to rush to the aid of people that they do not know and carry out their mission of ‘saving lives at sea,’ sometimes in terrible sea conditions.
They will rush to the aid of anyone who needs help at sea for free. This including animals, as illustrated by the enormous response of NSRI volunteers when the Department of Environmental Affairs asked for assistance with the recent stranding of false killer whales in Kommetjie.
“The NSRI plays such an important role in our community and the work that they do across the country is absolutely critical. In the event of a major disaster, the countries coastal airports will rely very heavily on them for support – so this partnership is very close to our hearts,” says Deon Cloete, Cape Town International Airport General Manager.
Sea Rescue CEO, Ian Wienburg said, “ACSA has been a loyal supporter of the NSRI for more than a decade and is a valued Platinum Partner of Sea Rescue. South Africa does not have a state Coast Guard service. The NSRI, a nonprofit organisation, was founded in 1967 with a mandate ‘to save lives on South African waters,’ and our unpaid volunteers have provided this service for 46 years.”
“Sea Rescue does not charge the people who we rescue. Instead we rely on donations, bequests and sponsorships to cover our annual running cost of R25m. Without companies like ACSA we would not be able to provide this free service. We owe ACSA a big thank you for their continued support.”
“We’ve always been very passionate about the fact that our business is not only about airports, but that we have a responsibly to give back to our communities. As an organisation we are very proud to be associated with the NSRI. We wish to thank all of the volunteers of the NSRI who give of their time so selflessly. They are often the forgotten hero’s”, concluded Cloete.
For more information please contact:
Contact person: Deidre Davids
Communications Manager
Telephone Number: 082 377 4521
Email: Deidre.Hendricks@airports.co.za
OR
Deborah Francis
Head of Department: Communications &Brand Department
Categories: Business, Passengers