U-Turn, a non-profit organisation that helps the homeless get off the streets, says it has raised more than R600 000 towards a R1 million month-end target through its A Night on the Street campaign.

The fund-raiser, which started at the beginning of the month, saw about 30 businesspeople, politicians and members of the public spend a night sleeping on the pavement in Main Road, Claremont, on Saturday, and the public could also buy tickets and spend the night outside, documenting their experiences on social media using the hashtag #anightonthestreets (“Rough sleeping fund-raiser to aid homeless,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, May 8).

The campaign made an important statement against homelessness, said U-Turn CEO Jean-Ray Knighton Fitt.

“It would not be a nice experience for anyone sleeping out on the street; it's a tragedy for people who are trapped in that circumstance, so the goal is to move people from homelessness to a much better place,” he said.

“When someone acknowledges you, learns your name and treats you with dignity, sees your potential and encourages you to take your first steps out of the hell you are in, you can be able to flourish.”

Everyone had potential, and in helping the homeless, U-Turn didn’t “just give a cup of soap” but rather supported them to “unfold their potential”, he said.

Alistair Reynolds, 41, of Kenwyn, is originally from Mitchells Plain, and he was homeless for 10 years. He fought a 17-year-long battle with drug addiction.

In his early 20s he had a good job in a call centre, but he tried experimenting with drugs.

“I never thought I was an addict, as I was a functioning person who had a job and was not seen as a ‘junky’,” he said.

But his partying went from once a month to every weekend and then to every day.

“I got to a point where I could not hold down a job,” he said, adding that he had ended up homeless in Mitchell’s Plain.

He first heard about U-Turn while staying at The Haven Night Shelter in Retreat.

“U-Turn has a big impact on my life. I had previously had relapses after attending other rehabilitations, though U-Turn, with the help of their social workers, helped me to fight the inner ‘demons’ that I was battling.”

Mr Reynolds has now been clean for seven years, and he manages U-Turn’s charity store in Access Park. He, along with other U-Turn service users, was there on Saturday night to support those coming to sleep on the pavement including Tariq Janodien, of Wynberg, and his three daughters.

“We feel blessed that we can participate and try to give back in our little way. I believe charity begins at home, and hopefully this message can spread further into the suburbs,” said Mr Janodien.

Mr Knighton Fitt said they were grateful for the support shown to the campaign so far. Email valerie.govender@homeless.org.za, call 021 674 6119 or visit homeless.org.za for more information.

Shinaaz Hendricks, of Bonteheuwel, supported U-Turn’s A Night on the Street campaign.

Tariq Janodien, of Wynberg, with his daughters, Leah, 8, Amelia, 5, and Lily, 2, supported the campaign. They stowed their personal belongings in a locker at a nearby business before spending the night on the pavement.

U-Turn’s Roxanne Martin and Alistair Reynolds next to a collection bin for blankets and clothing.

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