Casual Day 2002, South Africa’s foremost fundraising project for persons with disabilities, managed to raise a record R5,8 million. This fun event takes place on the first Friday of September each year and members of the public are encouraged to dress differently and wear a sticker obtained for a R5 donation, indicating that they support the cause of disability.

This is the highest amount raised since the inception of the project eight years ago and almost half a million rand more than 2001. Since 1995, a total of R28,3 million has been raised and distributed to six national beneficiary organisations providing a service on a national level and representing over 400 homes, schools and workshops within the field of disability.

Managed by The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa, the beneficiaries are the SA Federation for Mental Health, Disabled People South Africa, Deaf Federation of SA, Epilepsy SA and the SA National Council for the Blind.

This year Casual Day takes place on September 5. Diarise this day now and make a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities by dressing up or down and wearing a Casual Day sticker. Details from Annelise de Jager, Casual Day National Project Organiser on (012) 663 8181, e-mail casualday@mweb.co.za or www.casualday.co.za.