Kind residents help family celebrate Christmas
We are just sad there is not another flat available at Elgro.
A young Toti family who lost all their possesions in a flat fire in late December could still celebrated a festive Christmas thanks to the kindness of fellow residents.
Anton de Wet, Ulanka Bakker and their nine-month-old baby Karlinka were all injured in the fire that was started by a candle in their fifth storey Elgro flat at about 10.15pm on Friday night, 11 December.
Anton sustained severe burns to his feet, arm and shoulder and was taken to hospital, while Ulanka and Karlinka were treated for smoke inhalation.
Fellow resident Errol Boxall decided to organise a collection for the family the day after the fire. “Every single door I knocked on, the person who answered said they were worried about how the family was doing. They all said they were sorry that you had lost everything in the fire and they wanted to give something to you and your family,” said Errol to Anton at the handover on Friday, 18 December, where the family was shocked to receive over R6,000 in cash plus donated goods.
“Thanks a lot to everyone for the donations and especially all the messages we received,” said an emotional Anton. “It is so nice to be among so many people who care. We are just sad there is not another flat available at Elgro to stay here among such caring people.”
The donations helped the young family enjoy their first Christmas with their new baby.
