Teenager steps it up for youth centre
R4 000 was raised for the Malvern Children's Home
FOURTEEN-year-old Laaeqa Hoosen walked the East Coast Radio Big Walk on Sunday, 22 May with a purpose. Raising funds for the Malvern Children’s Home, every step the teenager took was with the purpose to provide aid for the 120 children in the care of the home.
“I had fun walking the big walk and it feels good to know that I was able to make a difference in the lives of the children at Malvern Children’s Home. I strongly encourage others to challenge themselves and also raise funds for the home,” said the Grade 10 pupil at Al Falaah College.
“Laaeqa approached us to see where she could be of assistance as part of her Presidents’ Club community project. She initially wanted to volunteer her time at the home to assist wherever shecould. However, this was not possible because she is under 16.
“With the ECR Big Walk that was coming up, we identified our ‘Walk With Purpose’ volunteer fundraising project as a fantastic opportunity for her to raise funds and awareness for the children’s home,” said PR and fundraising manager for Malvern Children’s Home, Lee Jarrett.
Laaeqa collected R600 from her friends, two of her aunts promised her R500 each and would double the donation on condition that she made it in the top 100. “Laeeqa took their challenge and actually made it to the stadium among the first 20 people in the 5km category. One of her aunts gave her the R1 000 while the other gave her the R1 000 as well as a further R500 for doing so well,” said her mother, Shennaz. Laaeqa collected R400 more from another aunt and her grandmother gave her R500 to round her money off to R4 000 for the Malvern Children’s Home.
“It is truly heart-warming to see Laaeqa’s enthusiasm to get involved to make a difference in the lives of children in need, and we encourage others to join her in taking up this challenge. Remember that its not just fundraising, you will be helping us to raise awareness for the rights of children to be loved, nurtured and not harmed in any way,” said Jarrett.
Contact Lee on 031 464 0236 or e-mail lee@mchome.co.za.
