Disabled children receive new shiny wheelchairs
'Thank you to everyone who donated something and who played a role, this would not have been possible without you'
Two disabled children who recently had funds raised for them received wheelchairs thanks to various organisations and philanthropists in town.
The first of the children is Danté Pieterse, 3, who was born with birth defects that do not allow him to walk.
According to Charlene Pieterse, Danté’s mother, despite his physical defects, he is extremely intelligent and has no mental defects. She says he and his seven-year-old brother Dylan are close and constantly play around with each other. She jokes and says after playing, Danté usually asks Dylan to rub his back.
The second of the disabled duo is Nikita Hoffman, 12, who is both physically and mentally disabled and who suffers from epilepsy. Nikita previously had a wheelchair but one that could not fully serve her needs.
She had a make-shift wheelchair made from the frame of an old wheelchair. On the frame was an old wooden board in the front-end of the wheel chair used as a tray.
Approximately R13 000 was gathered by the Community Policing Forum (CPF) through Hendrik van Wyk, the chairperson of the Randfontein sector 5 CPF.
The wheelchair handover was done at a car wash in Hillside just off the R559. A special auction with all donated items was held at the car wash to gather even more funds in for the disabled duo. Biking leathers to sheep were on auction on the day. All stakeholders including the Randfontein CPF and Helping Hands were present on the day.
As a result of all the help from the aforementioned organisations and others who played a role both Danté and Nikita received new wheelchairs.
Danté received a standard wheelchair and on the day he received it, he was pushed up an down walkways by other children at what seemed to be the speed of light.
Nikita later received her wheelchair which was custom-made to suit her body and special needs. Her chair came fitted with a new wooden board at the front of the chair and a head-rest on the back side to support her neck.
Klein Erasmus, founder of Helping Hands said it was a fantastic experience for the organisation to put a smile on a child’s face.
Thanks to the Rommel Skommel auctioneers. Thanks to the Randfontein CPF who greatly assisted in both fundraisers. You don’t only help with crime but also play a big roll in feeding the needy and giving back to the community. Also thank you to the Hervormde Kerk Carletonville, your support and help was much appreciated. You guys are great. Hoseph van der Merwe you are one of the most dependable people I know and you, too Pottie Potgieter. Thank you to everyone who donated something and who played a role, this would not have been possible without you.”
