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It was an ordinary day at PEP Aberdeen until, quite suddenly, it became a day that 260 families will never forget. Staff and customers were left stunned when an anonymous Good Samaritan, whom PEP now refers to as a Lay-by Buddy, walked into the store and insisted on settling the accounts of every single unpaid lay-by on the books.
“We were taken completely by surprise,” says PEP chief marketing executive Beyers van der Merwe. “This anonymous Lay-by Buddy simply asked how many unpaid lay-bys we had in the store. When we checked the books, we had 260 unpaid lay-bys, amounting to R132 500. Then, just like that, he paid them all off!”
In the current tough economic climate, a lay-by is a useful payment plan that allows PEP’s remarkable customers to plan for the future, to follow a disciplined strategy to secure essentials without incurring debt.
A moment of pure relief
The scenes that followed the Lay-by Buddy’s act of generosity in Aberdeen were filled with disbelief, joy and gratitude.
“We watched as worry turned into relief,” says Van der Merwe. “At PEP, our purpose is to help everyone look and feel good, and we know that sometimes, the worry of making that next payment can weigh heavily on our customers. We are so grateful to this Lay-by Buddy, who surprised us all.
“This level of human kindness reminds us that generosity lands powerfully when it connects to people’s real needs – the lay-bys were for school items, baby clothing and other essentials. This gesture has given 260 families the dignity of taking their items home when they perhaps least expected it – just in time for the festive season.”
This incredible moment is part of a wave of kindness that is sweeping the country. Since 2020, the PEP Lay-by Buddy Initiative has raised more than R3,6 million and benefited a staggering 150 000 families. The momentum keeps growing! This year, Pepkor stepped forward with a R1 million donation to help even more families.
Join in and keep the good vibes flowing
While the incredible Aberdeen donation happened in one specific store, the same spirit lives right across the PEP Lay-by Buddy initiative – inspired random acts of kindness; people helping people.
Anyone can help pay off someone else’s lay-by. You don’t need to be a mystery millionaire to be a PEP Lay-by buddy. Whether you have a little or a lot, you can make a difference for another person. Because buddies don’t let buddies wait.
Become a PEP Lay-by Buddy
- In a PEP Store: You can contribute from as little as R2 at any PEP store nationwide to help settle someone else’s account.
- Online: Contribute from R20 on the PEP website by visiting www.pepstores.com/pages/lay-by-buddy.
To the mystery Lay-by Buddy: Thank you for surprising us and, more importantly, helping those who need it most. It makes a massive difference.