This Wendywood based organisation provides a home and family environment for 52 orphaned and vulnerable children.

Running across the Sandton and Arcadia campuses, the campaign aimed to turn fundraising into something fun and engaging. From campus activations and social media to the brightly hand-painted "Can of Hope" donation drum, students were encouraged to get involved, donate cans and enter a raffle featuring exciting prizes, says the institution.

What began as a group assignment quickly became a passion project for the six final-year students, who combined their contacts and resources with the aim to turn awareness into action and raised R6 500, adds the institution.

The institution says that the campaign could not have achieved these results without the support of the wider community. SPAR Group contributed cans of food and goodie bags, which were presented at the final handover event, while Comic Con Africa, Steri Stumpie, Empire Entertainment, Unleaded 95, Sealand Gear, Be Beautiful, Nails on 11th and L'tido Podcast also got behind the campaign with contributions and support.

A Spring Day Play Date, where eight guests from Hearts of Hope joined the students on campus wrapped up the campaign in a day that aimed to be filled with music, dancing, face painting, ice cream and childhood games, says the institution.

According to Deborah Van Dongen, CEO of Hearts of Hope, who joined the students at the Spring Day Play Date, the organisation appreciated the effort of the students for every can donated and all who participated in the raffle draw to support and bring awareness of the work that Hearts of Hope does.

The PR3 students conclude by saying that the experience brought a very real dimension to their Public Relations studies — showing that when creativity and communication are combined with compassion, a campaign can create genuine impact.

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*Image courtesy of contributor