A special project was launched on Youth Day (16 June) and will run until August in a bid to bring warmth to children and their families along the N3 Toll Route, from Harrismith, through Ladysmith and Estcourt, to Pietermaritzburg.

The project, aptly named, #WinterSnuggle is an initiative of the Singakwenza Early Childhood Development (ECD) Organisation and Chevrolet Ute Force, a community upliftment programme; and is supported by N3 Toll Concession (N3TC). N3TC manages the N3 Toll Route between Heidelberg in Gauteng and Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal.

Singakwenza operates a number of ECD mentorship programmes at various crèches along the N3 Toll Route. The Singakwenza team helps to stimulate and educate the neglected generation of children between the ages of 1 and 5 years. This is achieved using materials usually destined for landfills, such as plastic bread bags, milk bottles, polystyrene trays, and others, to create toys and teaching aids.

Singakwenza receives significant funding from N3TC for its ECD programme along the N3 Toll Route.  This forms a part of N3TC’s Touching Lives corporate social investment (CSI) programme.

“As winter started to set in, we became more aware of the need for basic comfort and warmth that many of the young children in these crèches have,” explained Linda Hill, Singakwenza Project Coordinator. “This initiative to collect and distribute 10000 blankets and beanies to children and their families who are in desperate need is going to make a massive difference.”

“With the #WinterSnuggle campaign we wish to demonstrate our care in a practical way,” says Con Roux, Commercial Manager of N3TC. “We and all our partners call on all users of the N3 Toll Route to help warm a child’s body and heart over the next few weeks.”

Anyone can help make a difference by simply buying a blanket and/or beanie and dropping it in collection bins provided at the N3 Route Help Centre at the Bergville Complex in Harrismith, or at one of the four Chevrolet/General Motors dealerships in Harrismith, Ladysmith, Estcourt or Pietermaritzburg.

Chevrolet Ute Force will send its utility bakkie to collect and distribute these beanies and blankets to the most needy.

Please support this effort and tell us about your participation on Twitter: @N3route using #WinterSnuggle as a tag. Help us spread the word and winter warmth.