WESTVILLE siblings, Paige and Leighton Boswell were recently orphaned when their mother, and only surviving parent, died suddenly.
Their determined aunt, and only relative living in South Africa, recently launched a Back-a-Buddy campaign that will see them immigrate to the UK and allow them a fresh start with their caring grandparents.
On 18 March this year, Leighton found his mother lying unresponsive on the floor and three days later both children were told their mother had passed on from a ruptured tumor.
“Life had been hard for them in the last few months. Their mom was retrenched, had no assets and lived in a single room on a shared property. They were left with absolutely nothing but the R100 in their mother’s purse,” said their doting aunt, Candice Bolton.
Bolton opened her home to her niece and nephew and, while they are safe, she is unable to look after them for the long term as she is a single parent who lost her travel agency business due to the Covid-19 outbreak and the subsequent nationwide lockdown.
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“It has been a transition for them as they lived with their mom their whole lives. They are in weekly therapy sessions. They have their good days and bad days but they are such resilient kids and they have adapted well,” she said.
With the support of the community, that included donations as well as groceries, she has been able to keep the family fed and in a warm bed at night.
“We have been overwhelmed by all of the love and care everyone has given so far. The difference this has already made to these two small souls is beyond what words can explain,” said Bolton.
Before she passed, their mom, Kirsten, had already begun the process of obtaining permission for them to immigrate.
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“It was her dream to give her children a better future and to be with her family. We want to complete her dream of getting Paige and Leighton to the UK before the new school year begins in September,” said the committed aunt.
The exercise will cost £11 000 and includes flights, high court applications, passport applications, medicals, legal fees and the managed quarantine for travellers to the UK from red list countries.
“Despite the tragedy and hardships these two children have been through, they remain positive and excited to get to the United Kingdom. With the help of everyone, this dream can become a reality for them. Please help us give these two children a good and a happy life where they can flourish and achieve great things. Even a small donation will assist us in going a long way,” said Bolton.
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