Woodlands lad,10, collects over 500kg dog food for SPCA
The 10-year-old, who is a part of the 58th Durban Air Scouts, said he needed to keep his Cub promise and do something good for someone else.
AT just 10-years-old Raymond Louis Lax is on a mission to help those in need, including man’s best friend.
Raymond, who lives in Woodlands, set out to collect 500kg of dry dog food in March, and exceeded his goal within a month. He donated 538kg of dog food to the Amanzimtoti SPCA on May 29.
“I am so happy that I was able to help the SPCA as they needed donations for the animals. I hope the dogs will have full tummies for a while,” he said. Raymond, who is part of the 58th Durban Air Scouts, said he has to complete different challenges, which will earn him his badges.
He said after completing his personal challenges, which was to overcome his fear of swimming, as well his fear of going to his late father’s workplace, he felt he needed to do more. His father passed away due to the Covid-19 pandemic in January 2021.
“After I did my personal challenge, I felt that I needed to keep my Cub promise and do something good for someone else, like the dogs at the SPCA. I decided to collect dry food and challenged myself to collect 500kg. With the help of my mom I designed an advert and she shared it with everyone.
“I also wrote a letter to companies asking them to donate dog food or money, and we went door-to-door asking for donations. I am really grateful as people were so willing to help me achieve my goal. Most of the food was donated by the public, family, friends, fellow Cubs and Scouts, and our church members at Montclair Methodist Church,” he said.
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Raymond, whose family has five dogs, said he believed all dogs deserve to be loved, fed and happy.
“I like dogs because they are cute, adorable and man’s best friend. My dogs helped me and showed me love through my hardest times after my dad died. I wish my dad saw me hand over the food, but I know he would have been proud of me,” he said.
Raymond, who is home-schooled, said he encouraged others to give back if possible.
“If more people get involved we can all help the animals and give them a better life. A little bit of teamwork can make a big difference. I also hope that other children, schools, companies, and Scout groups challenge themselves to collect and donate to those in need, both humans and animals.
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“It made me feel happy to help the dogs at the SPCA, and I am sure others will feel that way too. I want to thank everyone that donated and my mom for helping me achieve my goal,” he said.
Elsa Patricia Lax, his mother added, “I am very proud of him, for the young boy he has become despite the challenges of life. Scouts has been one of the best decisions I have made for my son. The saying goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, and our fellow Scout leaders, parents and friends have truly become the villagers that have helped me raise this great young man. A young man his father would be proud of.
“To every person, and there are too many to name that have donated, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you. May God richly bless each and everyone who have opened their hearts for the animals. We couldn’t have done it without you,” she said.
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