The campaign aims to raise awareness about the challenges homeless individuals face in winter and the challenge will see Saunders living on a rooftop in Plumstead, Cape Town from 28 April to 1 May 2016, braving the colder Cape Town weather. His goal is to collect as much as 5,000 items of warm clothing or blankets over this period.
By partnering with the non-profit organisation Faith, Hope and Charity, the Devdondidit actor hopes to tap into the 55,000 strong audience that watches his content across various social media platforms on a weekly basis. The #WeDidIt campaign video was launched on Tuesday, 19 April 2016, with a strong call to action for Capetonians to join in social media activism and support the homeless through the campaign.
The findings of a study, Street People Research 2014/15, indicates that homelessness is a growing area of concern in the Western Cape with as many as 7,383 Capetonians either living on the street or in a shelter.
“Although I have not secured sponsors for the #WeDidIt campaign, the groundswell of interest and support from Capetonians has been unbelievable,” says Saunders. “I’ve been fortunate that some of my videos reach well over 100,000 views and I thought I could use my platform, to not only bring a bit of laughter, but also for the greater good to bring warmth to our world.”
“My vision is to alleviate hunger and poverty in the Southern Suburbs though various initiatives and projects - which are all self-funded," says Michelle McLachlan from Faith, Hope and Charity. "The #WeDidIt Winter Campaign is a fantastic vehicle to assist in bringing in much needed winter clothes and blankets, as well as being the perfect platform to remind Capetonians of the dire living conditions homeless individuals find themselves in - especially in the cold, stormy winter months.”
Saunders is encouraging all Capetonians to drop by his rooftop location from 28 April to have a coffee, enjoy some music and drop off some clothing and blankets.
“We are looking for Capetonians to show up at 117 Victoria Road, Plumstead between 28 April and 1 May 2016, with donations of blankets, jackets, pants, jerseys, socks, beanies and gloves. I am also encouraging everybody to show some social activism by sharing the video and encouraging their followers and fans to get involved,” says Saunders.
