MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet steps up to “all-hands-on-deck” alert to save abandoned seabird chicks

MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet, the biggest community loyalty programme in South Africa, this week donated R200 000 to the SANCCOB Cape Cormorant chick emergency relief response. This unprecedented crisis has left SANCCOB caring for more than 1000 Cape cormorant chicks that were rescued from Robben Island earlier this year.

This emergency relief response came after hundreds of endangered Cape cormorant chicks were abandoned, most likely due to lack of food, and is the second largest seabird rescue in the Western Cape since the MV Treasure oil spill in 2000. This prompted an all-hands-on-deck alert at the SANCCOB Seabird hospital based in Table View, Cape Town.

In a bid to support this rescue mission, MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet has donated R200 000 to SANCCOB, to be used for food and veterinary supplies for the chicks, as well as to fund biosecurity at their seabird hospital. According to the team at this amazing non-profit organisation, the aid is crucial to the ongoing support that staff and volunteers are providing to the chicks.

“MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet has been an incredible partner during critical times of need for SANCCOB, and we are very grateful that they have once more extended their benevolence to our cause during the hand-rearing and rehabilitation of abandoned Cape cormorant chicks rescued from Robben Island,” says Hedwich Tulp, SANCCOB’s Relationship Manager.

“MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet’s generous contribution will go towards cormorant food, implementing biosecurity measures at the Table View facility, and additional personnel. We know that this is powered by the loyalty of its supporters too, so we also want to say thank you very much to all the programme’s supporters.”

It is not yet known how long the chicks will be in the care of SANCCOB and its team, but they stress that any further support from the public will be gratefully received.

“These kinds of relief missions align perfectly with our MyPlanet mission, which includes a focus on wildlife conservation, the environment and animal welfare. Our supporters are passionate about all the causes they select to support with their swipes, and we know all our MyPlanet supporters are going to be delighted to see how their donations can make such a big difference in this time of crisis,” says Pieter Twine, General Manager of MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet.

To support SANCCOB and their efforts, join MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and select SANCCOB as your beneficiary. Simply visit myschool.co.za or download the app. Every time you shop at one of their retail partners, including Woolworths, Engen, Loot.co.za, Bidvest Waltons, Builders and more, a portion of your spend will be given to a school or cause of your choice – at no additional cost to you.