Medico with a caring heart for children hails from Atlasville
Caxton came on board to support this great initiative as part of its care campaign. Donate your medals now!
Leonel Paulo de Caires, known to many as the ‘hero doctor’ from Cape Town, was born and bred in Boksburg.
The Advertiser, on July 13, published a story under the headline ‘Medals to bring joy to children’ about de Caires collecting old medals to be used as ‘bravery’ rewards for children after they have had their operations.
The Advertiser spoke to Leonel’s proud parents, Fatima and Miguel de Caires. They couldn’t stop singing praises for their beloved son.
“My child has always been a humanitarian. At the age of 10, he was involved with the Red Cross. He offered help wherever help was needed. He even saved someone’s life near Benoni Northerns in an accident scene.”
The 32-year-old doctor attended Willowmoore High. He was the school’s head boy. He was also the president of the Benoni Aurora Rotaract, and was awarded the Rotary Award for his exceptional work.
Leonel’s mother said they have been staying in Atlasville for 36 years since her marriage to her husband. “I have been blessed with three wonderful children who are all doing amazing work.”
His father, Miguel de Caires, said he doesn’t even have words to express how proud he was of his three children.
“I treat the three of them equally, and they are all very dear to my heart. My son has always had a big heart.”
Leonel said the response he has received from the public had been incredible.
“It started as a Cape Town project. It has now in Johannesburg and people have contacted me from Canada and Kenya. In two weeks we have collected over 6 000 medals, with a lot more still coming in,” Leonel said.
On Wednesday, July 18, Maria da Silvia from the Shuffling Walking Team, donated 600 medals from their family fun walk to Leonel’s mother for cancer.
Caxton urges anyone who might have old medals to donate them to this worthy cause. Drop-off points are at the Boksburg Advertiser, 20 Sydney Road, Ravenswood, and the LALT Theatre House, 20 Barlett Road, Beyers Park.
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Donate your medals to bring joy to a child
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