7-year-old gives back to underprivileged soccer players
NORTHCLIFF – Daniel Shalala asked his friends not to buy him presents, but instead give him the money so he could donate it.
Daniel Shalala (7) celebrated his birthday but he said no to gifts.
He rather asked his St David’s Marists Brothers Inanda classmates, to give him the money so he could donate it to Growing Champions (GC), a family organisation that helps underprivileged children.
The donations went towards buying football kits for two of the organisation’s soccer teams, helping them to take part in various tournaments.
“I didn’t want any presents from my friends because I have lots of toys and I don’t use them and they’ll just go to waste,” said Daniel. “I asked my friends for the money so I can donate it to the GC soccer players,” said Daniel.
The organisation was founded by Daniel’s grandfather, Willie Michael Toweel whose initials are on the soccer team’s badge.
One team was there for the handover at Reddford House soccer fields and the boys were delighted upon receiving the kit from Daniel.
“I would like to thank the little man, Daniel, ” said captain of the Growing Champions U17 team, Tshepang Seleka.
“What he did is just amazing and I don’t think just anyone would have done this for us. I don’t have words to thank him enough for this.”
For more information on the Growing Champions organisation, or if you would like to donate, you can contact Samantha Toweel-Moore on 082 803 3866 or www.growingchampions.co.za.
