This week sees the second wave of pupils returning to school as fears surrounding their safety is at an all-time high. The Eastern Cape cities of East London and Port Elizabeth have both been identified as COVID hotspots and parents and children are understandably anxious, but local service solutions company, Red Alert has stepped up to help get schools COVID-ready.
According to company spokesperson Lynette Howe, “Red Alert does extensive work with schools throughout South Africa. They supply an outsourced solution that includes guarding, security, cleaning and hygiene services on a contract basis. Their association with these schools goes way beyond the call of duty and they essentially partner with schools to support them beyond the business of service solutions. These partnerships have been fundamental in identifying the importance of the safety of our children at schools as one of the main considerations for parents following a spate of kidnappings last year and of course, the threat posed by the spread of communicable diseases this year.”
Earlier this year, Red Alert extended its range of services to include a Safety Solutions offering that falls under their cleaning division. Through this new service, they offer PPE supplies that support their other business activities, i.e. medical PPE like sanitizer, disposable UVEX overalls and masks.
The company has a reputation for consumer social responsibility initiatives and by way of example, their Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division in East London regularly do free talks and demonstrations at schools around the city. Although they formerly support a handful of core charities like St Bernard’s Hospice, they have reacted quickly to the need that has arisen out of the COVID pandemic and last week, the cleaning division visited six local schools to deliver hand sanitizer and masks prior to the return of other grades to school this week.
According to Mrs. Nicolien Grobler, School Principal at President Primary,” the donation of PPE supplies was unexpected and is a tremendous help to the school. With just one Grade 7 class at school at present, we use 5l of sanitizer each week and with the other grades returning soon, this amount is set to increase substantially. The donation will see us through for a long while and we are immensely grateful to Red Alert for their generosity.”
Other schools that received donations include St Christopher’s Kidd’s Beach School, Kuswag Primary School, Southernwood Primary School, East London Child and Youth Care Centre and Greensleeves. Any schools looking for COVID support and advice should contact Charlotte Barnes on 082 308 1422.
