A civic-minded young man’s fundraising initiatives has led to him winning the Lead SA Hero of the Week award and he is now entered into the hero of the month competition.
Last year Dillan Drew (23) of Scottburgh had an idea to swim the Midmar Mile as a fundraiser for Khanya Hospice. He was joined by Brad du Preez, Roan van der Westhuizen and Warren Keightley and, thanks to generous donations and sponsors from local business and members of the public, managed to raise more than R14,000. This year Iwan van der Westhuizen replaced Warren Keightley and they surprised Khanya Hospice CEO, Neil McDonald with a donation of more than R30,000 after the event. They have set a goal of R50,000 for next year’s swim.
Lead SA, a media initiative, recognises and awards ordinary citizens who make South Africa a better place through their selfless actions.
“I was absolutely surprised to win hero of the week in February,” said Dillan. “Someone from the public put my name forward and the first I heard of it was when work collegues saw the article in a Sunday newspaper. Lead SA would not tell me who nominated me.
I am not doing this for my own cause. Through this, Hospice gets more recognition and publicity for the work it does, which I am happy about.”
Members of the public have until noon on Thursday, 13 March to vote for Dillan by sending an email to tribuneleadsa@inl.co.za with the words ‘Lead SA Hero for February’ in the subject line and his name Drew Dillan in the body of the email.
