BB BUZZ

BB Generates Thousands for PWD’s

The APD made a profit from BB during its first six months of operation, even though BB showed a deficit. Irish? Not at all… The deficit shown by BB actually went to purchasing services/resources from APD, thus meeting not only its own budgetary obligations, but also its budgetary commitments to the APD. The difference is not much – a few thousand rand – but it has proven a point.

It exceeded its budgeted income for the period 1 October 2007 to 31 March 2008 by 27.84% and showed a saving of 20.02% on budgeted expenditure. Its overall performance was 47.86% better than anticipated!

As a sales initiative BB’s products generated an income which exceeds APD’s traditional highest income generator for the past six years – Casual Day – by 32.47%. And, as an awareness initiative – which is part of its core directive to break down barriers and build bridges between persons with disabilities and able bodied individuals of all ages, it has reached millions of people.

And this is the most gratifying aspect; that BB’s income-generating products are not only accepted by a diversity of clients: companies, schools, tertiary training institutions, the public sector and individuals, but that they lead to positive change. We have seen the impact of our products on ordinary people and we know that the resultant attitudinal and environmental changes will really improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in years to come. We thank all our clients; not only for their financial support, but for caring about people with disabilities.

We are also extremely grateful to all our friends in the communications industry who contributed to the success of our publicity campaign. They facilitated exposure to the value of R225 682 and enabled us to reach 15 258 919 people!

A special word of thanks to Flight Centre for their amazing support of BB’s Balloon campaign. Spearheaded by their Newsworks Manager SA, Amanda Hardy, this company not only invited their staff to donate at least R5 (with management matching the amount raised by staff), they also promoted the campaign through their newsletter (120 000 clients), their Captain’s Catalogue, daily staff hotline, staff auto-signatures, FC travel media campaigns, part of their regular adverts, ticker tape along SOF plasma screens as well as a link, block banner and ticker tape on their web site! In addition, they auctioned prizes during their Golf Day and donated the proceeds to BB!

None of BB’s success would, however, have been possible without the sterling efforts of BB’s staffers Gina Khoza and Nick Bates. Thanks guys for putting BB on the map.
I am also extremely grateful to the Executive Committee of the APD and BB’s Steering Committee for their trust in BB and their financial support; not only for the last six months when BB functioned as a project of the APD, but for the next year when it will operate as a division. And, last, but not least, a big thank you to the APD staff members who lend a hand during our events; notably the first BB Intervarsity.

The first six months will be a hard act to follow. The only guarantee that I can give is a pledge that we will give only our best.

Jeanette Maclean (CEO)