14 NEWS
PE EXPRESS | WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 2015
SPAR Wheelchair Wednesday set to roll again REPORTER SPAR Wheelchair Wednesday, an initiative of the Association for the Physically Disabled (APD) in Nelson Mandela Bay, will once again take place in July. This year’s campaign, now in its 4th year, was launched at the recent Spar Ladies’ Race where Spar, which is the naming sponsor of the event, handed over R250 000 to APD. Spar Wheelchair Wednesday serves to highlight the often unseen challenges wheelchair users experience in their daily lives. Much-needed funds are also raised, which help the organisation to continue providing life-changing services to people with disabilities. By the end of August, 120 lives would have been changed through the campaign. Participants in the campaign spend four hours in a wheelchair and complete various assigned tasks. Following their time in a wheelchair, participants then report on their personal experiences for follow-up by APD. A handover ceremony will take
place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in August where 120 worthy recipients will receive wheelchairs from the participants who took part in Wheelchair Wednesday. A report highlighting positive developments from the 2015 campaign will be presented. APD is encouraging businesses in Port Elizabeth to come on board and support this initiative. You can spend four hours in a wheelchair and change a life. For more information, contact Marie Sin Hidge at 084 586 7704 or 041 373 0123. Spar Wheelchair Wednesday was launched at the Spar Ladies’ Race with people in wheelchairs also participating in the race. During the prizegiving, Spar handed a cheque for R250 000 to APD, the organis ers of Wheelchair Wednesday. At the handover were (from left) Conrad Isaac, managing director of Spar EC, Marshall March, Brian Bezuidenhout and Zolani Renuli of APD and Abri Swart, marketing manager of Spar EC. PHOTO:DEON FERREIRA
Reach for a Dream makes dreams come true REPORTER REACH for a Dream Port Elizabeth has once again put a smile on the faces of children suffering from lifethreatening diseases. Zanoxolo, a 13-year-old boy who has VSD (a heart condition), fulfilled his dream of being a cardiologist for a day at the Dora Nginza Hospital. Dr Nxele welcomed him to the team and helped him into the appropriate doctor’s apparel. He then familiarised Zanoxolo with a few cas-
es. During the hospital rounds, Zonoxolo had to report to Dr Pepeta, who is his role model. Dr Pepeta helped to diagnose Zonoxolo and is the reason he would like to become a cardiologist one day. Reach for a Dream also arranged for Diego Jonas (16) to be picked up from the Livingstone Hospital by his favourite car - a white BMW. “One day I’m going to buy one like this,” said a very excited Jonas. He was then taken to Greenacres Shopping Centre for the day and received his dream gift, a Sony touch-
screen phone. “Wow, I cannot believe this!” he said after receiving his gift. Jonas suffers from osteosarcoma. Cast your vote to help
The public can help Reach For A Dream continue fulfilling children’s dreams by voting for them in the MySchool competition. They could win R 70 000, which will go a long way in dream fulfilment. By voting, the public also stand a chance of winning R10 000 in Woolworths vouchers. Visit www.vote-4charity.co.za to vote. Voting closes on Friday (May 22).
LEFT: Zanoxolo at Dora Nginza Hospital, where he was a cardiologist for a day. RIGHT: Zanoxolo listens to a patient’s heart. PHOTOS:SUPPLIED
LEFT: Diego Jonas in his favourite car a white BMW. RIGHT: Jonas with his dream gift a Sony touchscreen phone.