Start a bread tag or bottle top collection to fund wheelchairs for those in need

BRINGING hope to those who are differently-abled, The Sweethearts Foundation is expanding their efforts to assist those in the south Durban area.

Dedicated to providing wheelchairs to individuals in need through the foundations initiative to collect and recycle plastic bread tags and plastic bottle tops, which pays for the wheelchairs that are donated, residents who are passionate about giving back, can now get involved.

Jessica Gordon from The Sweethearts Foundation, a national non-profit, community-driven, volunteer-based organisation said they believe that a wheelchair should be recognised as a basic human right and that everyone who requires one should have access to it.

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“Since our establishment in 2013, we have provided 498 bespoke wheelchairs to individuals across the country. Our volunteers, aptly named ‘Sweethearts’ range from everyday volunteers to high-ranking individuals who juggle work, family, and helping others.

“Together, we collect significant amounts of bread tags and plastic bottle tops from various individuals, schools, and organisations from around the country. These collections are then recycled by local recycling companies, who in return pay The Sweethearts Foundation.

“We pool all collections from around the country together and allocate the funding to manufacture a wheelchair for the beneficiaries.”
Reaching out to residents to host collection drives and become ‘Sweethearts’, the foundation is also appealing to those working on the ground to help identify those in need of wheelchairs.

“In the past five years, we’ve handed over many wheelchairs in the south Durban area, but have always had a struggle to getting the wheelchair to the beneficiary or to get the beneficiary assessed, but we believe that many more people could benefit from our services if they knew about us.

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“We believe that with the support from residents, we can ultimately fulfil the needs of those who require mobility to lead a better life,” said Gordon.
By becoming a collection point, residents can help collect and recycle tops and tags and garner the support from their neighbours and community.

The physical address will not be given out, but is up to the person to share with the sweetheart who wants to deliver their collection. The foundation will arrange for a courier to collect tags and tops from your premises.
For more information, contact Jessica Gordon on 071 170 0634 or via email: sweethearts@sweetheartsfoundation.org

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