Community helps children with burn injuries
MIDRAND - Clara Anderson (11), who survived burn injuries warmed the hearts of the Midrand community ahead of Mandela Day.
Anderson attended the annual Gift 67 Dinner hosted by Barbeque Downs Community at Da Vincenzo Restaurant. Chairperson of Barbeque Downs Community, Candice James explained the dinner initiative was founded to raise funds in the spirit of Mandela Day, and the dinners have lent a helping hand to many charities over the past few years.
This year Barbeque Downs Community decided to raise funds for Children of Fire Trust which is based in Auckland Park, and which helps children who have survived burn injuries to receive medical and other care. It also educates communities on fire prevention and cure.
Director of Children of Fire Trust, Bronwen Jones attended the dinner with Anderson who needs an operation because of her injuries. Anderson appealed to the community to help raise funds to help other burn victims.
The venue of the dinner was fitting as a fire damaged the restaurant a few years ago. Jones said the fire at the restaurant showed how things can burn down and be re-built again.
It may have been the spirit of Mandela Day or Anderson’s visible fighting spirit that made the community put their hands in their pockets at the dinner.
A raffle raised R6 000 and Robbie Fleck’s rugby jersey from the 1999 World Cup game between the Springboks and Wales was auctioned and raised R7 000.
Bidder Jonathan Webster became the proud owner of the jersey.
Another R9 500 was raised through pledge donations. All the money raised went to Children of Fire.
The staff at Da Vincenzo were enthralled with Anderson and she enjoyed seeing how the restaurant’s kitchen was run.
James thanked the community for joining in the fun evening and for their generosity.
Details: Candice James, info@bbqdowns.co.za and Brownwen Jones, firechildren@org
