Two hundred and ten learners from Suidheuwels Primary School in South Hills, Johannesburg, will once again have warm feet this winter thanks to the efforts of a group of volunteers from eBucks, First National Bank's (FNB) rewards programme.

As part of the FirstRand Group's corporate social responsibility programme, the eBucks Volunteers Group works to raise money for various projects. The FirstRand Group matches every rand raised by the volunteers with an equivalent donation.

According to Jolande Duvenage, eBucks CEO, the eBucks Volunteers Group was looking for a sustainable project that it could adopt for a two year period between 2011 and 2012, so that efforts of the volunteers – and the matched support from the FirstRand Group – could make a valuable difference both through financial donations and consistent support.

"Last year we raised enough money to sponsor 200 pairs of shoes for the children at Suidheuwels Primary School," Duvenage says.

"Our relationship with the school has highlighted that more children needed shoes, as many families of the school are currently surviving on social grants.

Thankfully, the support of our eBucks staff has been overwhelming, and we were able to raise enough money to pay for 210 pairs of shoes and winter socks, which will be handed over to the children on 26 July 2012." Duvenage says.

"This is really going to make a difference in the lives of these children," says Frik Visagie, Headmaster of Suidheuwels Primary School. "Shoes are so much more than protection for the children's feet and this donation of shoes and socks will make sure that the children are now able to come to school with polished, comfortable shoes each day.

"We are so grateful to the FirstRand Group and eBucks for their ongoing support of our school, and for the thoughtful way that they are making such a meaningful difference in the Suidheuwels community."

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.