Shop in aid of the elderly

A new charity shop in Roodekrans envisions a positive change in the community by assisting its elderly residents.

Owners Johnny and Sherrill Fouché invited the Record to snoop around the newly laid out premises of the Care 4 Charity shop in Ridgevale Shopping Centre on Wilde Amandel Avenue.

“Our goal is to contribute to the upliftment and improvement of the lives of the aged in our community,” they explained.

The Fouchés have been involved in charity for a long time with institutions such as the Rainbow Village and helping other less privileged residents.

“It was during a meeting with Tornado Park residents that this idea took shape. I noticed a growing need among our elderly Roodepoort residents – their small pensions don’t stretch as far as it used to.

“We have been open for two weeks now, can you believe it?”

The Fouchés expressed their gratitude for what they have achieved thus far and for the kind response by the immediate Roodekrans community in stocking the shop. Help has also come from Krugersdorp, and Ridgevale Primary School adopted the shop as their pet project for a quarter, with Helderkruin Primary School following suit.

“It is a two-way street,” Johnny said, referring to their dependence on residents’ donations. In the two weeks since its opening, the shop has received 84 donations.

“By far the most interesting item in the shop is that chess set,” Johnny explained, pointing out a wooden chess set with a story.

Johnny had suffered a stroke in recent years and died momentarily on the operating table. All he wanted when he woke up, he said, was to play chess again – and so the set was made specially for him.

Since the Fouchés’ will be donating their profits to Roodepoort Care for the Aged and Klein Helderkruin Retirement Centre, goods are sure to fly off the shelves, creating the need for more donations.

“We accept any kind of donation that Roodepoorters can assist us with.”

Furniture, books, clothes, glassware, cutlery, crockery, shoes, toys and so-called white elephants are more than welcome at the Care 4 Charity shop.

“Who knows, you might just find a great treasure here!”

The shop is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. Johnny can be contacted on 061 020 1860 for further information.