Keep a dream alive
‘‘No man is an island and without support from his family, friends and the community, Brandon may not be able to walk for much longer or reach his dream to go to the Paralympics, in Rio, in 2016.
‘‘Each and every one who makes a contribution to this day can one day, when he stands on the podium, say: I was a part of the result.’’
These words were uttered by double-amputee Brandon Menezes’s (13) mother, Charlene Potgieter, roughly two months before Brandon’s charity event.
Lakeside Mall has organised a Survivor Challenge Day for Brandon, which will take place on October 25 to 27.
He is in need of new prosthetic legs; after his legs were amputated at the age of 10 due to a medical condition. These will ensure he stays out of a wheelchair, as his current legs are being outgrown.
Potgieter said her son is humbled by the event which is being organised as a fund-raiser towards his new legs.
‘‘He shows friends and family the advert with a big smile on his face and encourages those close to him to take part in the event,’’ said Potgieter.
‘‘We, as a family, are definitely entering a couple of teams – a family team, a friends team and colleagues team.
‘‘Brandon does, however, carry on with life as normal, which is a huge blessing, since a 13-year-old should not have stresses such as ‘where will my next pair of legs come from?'”
Potgieter urged people to take part in the event, as her son is a talented boy and “a legend in the making”.
Lakeside Mall marketing manager Carolynn Weedon said the mall has received a “terrible response” with regard to entries, but she is hopeful more people will enter.
Various spot prizes will be handed out on the challenge days, as well as a hot air balloon ride in the Magaliesberg for the winning business team, a train trip to Cullinan for the family team winners and a day spent at Gold Reef City for six school children and an educator in the school category.
For more information contact Lee-Anne van der Nest on 011 427 1801, or email to marketinglakesidemall@growthpoint.co.za
People can also enter at the Lakeside Mall Customer Care Kiosk.
