Wards go head-to-head for wheelchairs
“It started in January and will run for the rest of the year. I have enough now for our first chair. It only took two months!” says ward councillor Cindy Billson.
Two councillors in Centurion are battling it out to collect the most bread tags and bottle caps to raise funds for wheelchairs.
Cindy Billson and Marika Kruger-Muller, from wards 69 and 70 respectively, are going head-to-head to see how many wheelchairs their wards can fund by taking in recyclable plastic bread tags and plastic bottle tops from items such as water bottles and peanut butter containers.
Thus far, Billson is in the lead, saying confidently that ward 69 was going to win the first round.
“I still have to break it to Marika that I am kicking her butt!
“It started in January and will run for the rest of the year. I have enough now for our first chair. It only took two months!
“We are planning to have at least six wheelchairs donated,” said Billson.
Bread tags for Wheelchairs was started by former nurse Mary Honeybun after she retired, but found that she still had too much passion for helping people to enjoy her well-earned retirement.
The organisation has been running since 2006 and since the organisation had donated 1 000 wheelchairs.
Julia Wessels is the local force behind the collections working with the two ward councillors.
She collects for Bread tags for Wheelchairs and The Sweethearts Foundation, which collects tops and tags for children who need customised wheelchairs.
“I am a ‘senior citizen’ and don’t drive much anymore,” she said, “but each time I have about 150kg of bottle tops. Meniko fetches them and takes them to the recyclers for us.
“Last year, the Tshwane Junior Council collected about 500kg of tops for us. We should challenge our council to beat this! Schools and churches also collect a lot.”
Local organisations such as the Voortrekkers have helped Billson achieve her lead over the neighbouring ward.
“She’s a busy bee that lady,” said Kruger-Muller. “I must admit I am a bit slow. We are only about a third way there.
“It’s a good competition. We need to collect about 200kg of tags or 450kg of tops to get one chair.”
Residents that wish to contribute to the drive can contact their ward councillors.
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