First wheelchair for ward initiative

Two ward councillors in Centurion raised enough funds to donate their first wheelchair by collecting bread tags and bottle caps.

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 collecting recyclable plastic bread tags and plastic bottle tops from water bottles and peanut butter containers.

This week, the pair handed in their first load.

According to Billson, the 450kg of tags and tops (one whole bakkie load) was handed in and the Lions Club of Centurion Lifestyle are identifying a recipient.

“We are planning to have at least six wheelchairs donated,” said Billson.

She said that they had already collected 80kg of tops and tags for their second collection.

They need to collect about 200kg of tags or 450kg of tops to get one chair.

“Please contribute every single item that you can!” 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 had donated a thousand wheelchairs since then.

Julia Wessels is the local force behind the collections working with the two ward councillors.

She collects for the 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.”

Meniko is a driver from a records management service based in Monument Park.

“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.”

Residents who wish to contribute to the drive can contact their ward councillors.

Drop-off points in ward 69:

– Saxby SPAR

– Engen Garage at Bakenkop School

– The Independent School

Drop-off points in ward 70:

– Laerskool Wierdapark

– Hoërskool Eldoraigne

Remember to wash the bottle tops and separate tags and tops before handing them in. Bottle tops can be any size so long as they are made from recyclable plastic and have no other parts such as metal springs.

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