“do not go gentle into that good night / rage rage against the dying of the light”

Cape Times, 25 June 2008

WITH contributions from Pick n Pay, Safmarine and individuals, non-profit organisation Autism Western Cape has passed the R100 000 mark in its “Jail 4 Bail” drive to raise funds for autism support services.

The organisation’s executive director, Gerhard Pieterse, is to stay in his mock prison cell in the Bayside Mall until R1 million is raised.

Debbie Maarsden, of Milnerton Ridge, has raised R10 000 from friends and relatives and has challenged corporates to beat her individual contribution.

Last weekend, Pick n Pay Western Cape and Safmarine each contributed R5 000.

Fergie’s Pub and Restaurant in Table View gave R5 975, and owner Marion Ferguson called on restaurants and pubs to match this. Blouberg Ridge Primary School collected R3 500 from pupils and parents.

Smith marked the occasion by matching his own hairstyle to Pieterse’s shaven head and spending time in “jail.”

Autism Western Cape plans to donate 20% of the proceeds to train and assist the Community Policing Forum in dealing with offenders who may have mental disabilities.

The rest will go towards the running of the organisation, which works to deliver services for autistic individuals, including opening schools and running phone support for families dealing with autism.
Pieterse has been inside Bayside Mall since June 16.

For more information see www.autismwesterncape.org.za

Cape Times, 20 June 2008

Sporting an orange prisoner’s jumpsuit and a shaven head, Gerhard Pieterse sat on a skeletal metal bed lined with two blankets. Metres away, shoppers browsed for new shoes.

Pieterse, the father of an autistic 11-year-old, has imprisoned himself inside a mock prison cell in Bayside Mall since Monday and won’t leave until he raises at least R1-million for autism support services.

He is also the executive director of the main beneficiary, the non-profit organisation Autism Western Cape.

“This is serious business. I’m totally committed, and I fully believe we will raise the million,” the 37-year-old father of three said.

He’s prepared to deal with the mall’s clamourous din and round-the-clock bright lights, which have given him a serious case of insomnia, for as long as it takes to raise the money.

Five days in, he is still R970 000 from the goal.

A few days ago, Blouberg Ridge Primary School vice-principal Bernie Smith issued a challenge to area colleagues: whichever school raises the most money, its principal will spend a day in jail with Pieterse.

Although mall shoppers and staff have been generous, support from corporations has been slow in coming.

Autism Western Cape plans to donate 20 percent of the R1-million to train and assist Community Policing Forums in dealing with offenders who may have mental disabilities.

The rest will go towards the running of the organisation, which operates with an annual budget of R1,7-million.

“People jokingly say they’ll send their husbands and wives to be locked up,” Pieterse said.

For more information see www.autismwesterncape.org.za