You've got to have FAITH
Monday 31 July 2006
Beyers Truter, owner and winemaker of Beyerskloof and one of the wine trade's most prominent personalities, has lent his name and support to a new high-profile initiative which aims to tackle one of the Cape’s most serious issues - alcohol abuse during pregnancy. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) can include physical as well as cerebral effects which may result in learning, emotional and behavioural problems.
The Beyers Truter Foetal Alcoholism and Interrelated Treatment Help Fund (FAITH) was launched on 7 October at the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Conference in South Africa and aims to tackle the problem of alcohol abuse in the winelands head-on by raising awareness and funds to tackle related problems
At the launch, Truter said that they hoped to establish a strong, forceful presence that would act as a substantial conduit for numerous efforts in facing alcohol abuse, especially in local communities. “It is a matter of faith”, said Beyers, “We aim to instill faith in a better future for all by changing the lives of children, families and communities adversely affected by the abuse of alcohol.”
Simon Halliday, co-owner of Beyerskloof and managing director of Raisin Social said, “FASD is a serious problem in the Cape and I’m confident that Beyers will make a real difference as he is so well-known and respected in South Africa and throughout the international wine community. Many people in the wine trade tend to bury their heads in the sand and pretend FASD is not happening and it’s a sensitive subject but Beyers has bravely chosen to tackle the issue head-on and we fully support the fund.”
The FAITH Fund will operate as a non-profit organisation and a credible vehicle for raising funds through various activities and for distributing donations for specific projects, charities and other organisations working with children, families and communities affected by alcohol abuse, with a particular focus on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Truter stressed that the focus would be on health education as alcohol abuse is known to be a foremost preventable reason for mental retardation and birth defects,. He said that the fund pledged support to the implementation of innovative ideas in advocacy, prevention, education and intervention.
The Beyers Truter Faith Fund expects to generate enough capital to implement programmes to address these issues. The fund received a boost when the South African Wine Industry Trust made a donation of R50 000 (c£5,000) at the launch event, setting an example and demonstrating support from the wine industry.
At the FAITH launch, Beyers was joined by Gauteng premier, Mbhazima Shilowa and ex-Springbok, Chester Williams, who will all be directors of the new fund. They hope to engage more prominent people and finance in growing the venture. Other directors include Lynne Sherriff, Guido Francque, Sophia Warner and Francois Naudé. Canadian FASD activist, Brian Philcox who co-founded founded International FAS Awareness Day also attended the launch.
FASD and associated alcohol abuse may be sensitive topics for some, but it is important to raise awareness and to help in every way possible. The Beyers Truter Faith Fund aims to do just that.
To find out more about the FAITH fund click http://www.faithfund.co.za
To find out more about Beyers Truter and Beyerskloof click here