Dinner raises funds for Alex, Brandon

POLOKWANE – The Toyota Knights held a charity Safari dinner at St. Marco Hall on September 19 where they raised money for Alex van Dyk and Brandon Menezes.

Brandon was born with diastrophic dysplasia, a rare disorder of cartilage and bone development which causes him to suffer from joint deformities called contractures that ultimately restrict his movement.

Brandon asked his parents to allow the doctors to amputate his legs when he was eight years old and after two years of research, his parents decided to go ahead with the procedure in 2010.

Brandon received his first prosthesis after rehabilitation on December 5, 2010, and because he started growing after his surgery, he has had to change the knee sockets of his prosthesis five times in the past two years.

Despite his disability, Brandon is able to ride a bike, swim, dance, ride a horse and he is involved in sport at school.

Alex was involved in a motorcycle accident when a motorist reversed out of a parking space in Market Street and hit him.

With the force of the impact, he was pushed under a double axle truck and dragged for about 40m. When the truck came to a standstill, Alex was trapped under two of the truck’s rear wheels. His left leg had to be amputated under the knee and his right leg above the knee.

Tickets for the dinner party sold at R1 000 and included a main course of beef potjie with malva pudding for dessert. Guests were entertained by musician Ollie Viljoen.

There was also an auction, where about R30 000 was raised.