MONEY SHOP


Footwear Today’s financial plumber, footwear retailer David Gummers, explains how business principles cross from profit to non–profit organisations.


T


his is a tale which is little different from my articles over the last few months. As some of you may know, I adore Cape Town - and it is not just the vines and the views that keep me going back!


A few years ago I was taken by a guide to an orphanage called


Baphumelele, which is in Khyleitsha a township on the way to the airport. The orphanage is run by one of the most amazing woman I have ever met called Rosie. She made me realise that with a good heart, it is incredible just how much can be achieved.


The first time I was there I saw that the carers were sleeping in the


same room as the children in order to hear their cries. So, I bought a few listening devices for the carers so the children could have their privacy. In recent years I have teamed up with Jelly Planet, a shoe shop in Cape Town, and we have given shoes to 25 children each year. For many of the children, it is the first time they have had new shoes and their faces genuinely light up with pleasure.


Rosie started the project by chance, as someone left a child on her


doorstep, and it developed from there. It is a really modern building with excellent facilities including state of the art showers. It is manned by volunteers, many students on gap years. It has a full clinic and education facilities, including a well-stocked library. The children are housed in small rooms two to a room as they get older. You can find out more about Rosie at www.baphumelele.org.za


How is this all relevant to Money Shop, I can hear you asking?


Well, my latest project is that I am holding a charity concert in St George’s Cathedral Cape Town on May 30th 2014. This is Africa’s most famous church - Desmond Tutu preached here.


The business principles of running an event like this are exactly the same


as they are for running a business. I can sum these up in three paragraphs. Work out what you want to achieve, i.e. have a vision of how a charity event will run.


Negotiate rates in exactly the same way you would if it were your own


money, just because it is someone else paying they will still want value for their donation or to attend the event.


Finally and probably most crucially, communicate with the people you


would like to help. Most people are helpful, as I found with the Dean of the Cathedral, who was happy to help in return for a donation to repair the roof!


From my point of view, I have been lucky, as I really did have something


very special to offer the Dean. I’d stumbled across a young singer with an exceptional voice, described on one African record label “As like fine crystal”. Miss Johannes has since teamed up with a band who will be creating a wonderful musical evening at the Cathedral.


Some amazing raffle prizes have been donated for the lucky ticket


holders who will be attending the concert, including a special cake designed along the lines of the cathedral, as well as dinner for two and wine at a top restaurant, plus afternoon tea at the iconic Mount Nelson Hotel.


It just shows that business principles cross from profit to non–profit


organisations. Of course, there is an altruistic charitable reason for all this, but there is so much more to the venture. Miss Johannes is hoping to land a singing career on the back of this concert, she has already received rave reviews from the press from a recent musical.


I held a cocktail party in Cape Town last November and was aware that


Miss Johannes was a singer, but was clueless how well she sang. When she performed at the party a couple of my guests were reduced to tears, such is the rare and beautiful quality of her singing voice. I suggested that she might need a manager. So we agreed a contract.


As she is a gospel girl I thought to combine a charity event with her singing debut, but, it had to be in the sort of venue which would make people would take notice. St. Georges Cathedral ticked the bill nicely!


Obviously, we’re trying to raise as much money as possible for the orphanage and for the repair to the cathedral roof. If you would like to make a donation or even offer Title sponsorship, please do get in touch. david@fdickinsonfootwear.co.uk


We are not taking any money, expenses or anything from this concert.


After all, it must be a good cause as the esteemed editor of this magazine has contributed! The total cost to stage the concert including the Cathedral donation is £2,300. Every penny we raise above that will go to Baphumelele Orphanage.


David is auctioning off a pair of Anatomic men’s shoes, with all profits going towards the children at the Baphumelele orphanage. Anyone wishing to contribute is asked to email their bid to david@fdickinsonfootwear a pair of shoes in their size.


.co.uk, the winner will receive 26 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • MAY 2014


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