What are you doing on Saturday 14 July? Want some time out, to help an outstanding cause, enjoy one of Sandton’s best breakfasts, and listen to Helen Zille?

Then come and join this fundraiser, initiated by the Third Thursday group (they meet on the third Thursday of each month), of which my friend Kerry Haggard is a member. Formed in Johannesburg in early 2004, the Third Thursday group, made up mostly of working moms, helps in their spare time to raise funds, support or awareness for various community-based organisations and causes.

Says Kerry: “This year, Helen Zille has agreed to be our guest speaker, and we’re hosting a fundraising breakfast on 14 July at the Sandton Hilton to raise funds for Mthimkhulu, a daycare centre in Soweto for mentally handicapped kids – they need a transport vehicle to get the kids to and from school each day. Every penny of profit that we raise goes to the charity we support – nothing is lost in ‘admin’ along the way. We always organise great giveaways for our guests, so that they can take away something from the event too.”

What you need to know about the event:

– Tickets cost R250pp, and the price includes a full breakfast, teas/coffees etc.

– Bookings can be made by emailing Helen Pournara on info@thirdthursday.co.za

– The charity to benefit is the Mthimkhulu Daycare Centre (www.mthimkhulu.org) in Soweto. It’s a centre, run by volunteers mostly, that offers daycare for severely mentally handicapped children, so that their parents can leave them in safe custody for the day in order to earn a living. – Mthimkhulu is a registered charity, so if corporate would like to take a table of 10 (or few), we can arrange the necessary invoices/certificates for tax purposes.

– There are great auction prizes, spot prizes and gifts on offer.

– This is an event for men and women

– Helen Zille is flying to Joburg especially for the talk, and is not being paid

– I will be attending and will pay for my ticket. For every blog reader who attends, I’ll donate R30 to Mthimkulu (just comment below so I can keep track of how much to donate)