Toyzone Kids’ Cycle Race for the Smile Foundation a success
MELROSE – It was a colourful and vibey day at Melrose Arch as children raced for a good cause.
The streets of Melrose Arch Piazza was filled with all sizes of bicycles on 27 May at the Toyzone Kids’ Cycle Race event.
The charity-driven event was hosted in to raise funds for the Smile Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that helps children in need of facial operations.
Children from different schools also took part in raising funds by setting up food and toys’ stalls and selling to attendees of the event, with all the profits donated straight to the Smile Foundation.
Melrose Arch marketing manager Thandekile Dlova highlighted that the purpose of the event was to also raise awareness about what the Smile Foundation is about. “The Smiles Foundation is one of our chosen charities. Today is all about raising awareness and funds for the organisation, as well as introducing to people what this organisation is about,” said Dlova.
The young ones rode their bicycles in a safe environment barricaded with colourful tyres, painted by the Abacus Kidz Pre-School on 10 May in preparation for the fun race.
The Smile Foundation focuses on putting smiles on children’s faces who are affected by cleft lip and palate, and have extended their assistance to those who have burns. Cleft lip and palate can be caused by a number of reasons. Risk factors include smoking during pregnancy, obesity, older mothers and taking certain medication during pregnancy. Children with these conditions can have trouble eating and drinking properly.
“The foundation administers everything and works with 11 academic hospitals around the country. They operate on children who cannot afford to pay for the operation. Some of the children are not able to cope with their facial conditions,” explained Melrose Arch communications manager, Kerry Phillips.
Retired swimmer Natalie du Toit, who is said to be a volunteer at the Smile Foundation, showed her support. “I think it’s the first time we have seen such an amazing turnout. The schools are also attending. I have known the Smiles Foundation family and they have paid for me to participate in the Olympics in London when I was still a swimmer. I attend the event every year and give out medals. Today is just phenomenal,” said Du Toit.
CEO for Smile Foundation, Hedley Lewis was impressed with how children participated to support other children through sport. “Some of the young children are too young to understand what the concept is, their parents are teaching them the art of giving because by the time they’re older, they would have been nurtured. The event is about money, but the most important part is children being part of the concept to support another concept,” said Lewis.
The Melrose Arch media team is set to visit Charlotte Maxeke Hospital sometime in June to see the children whose lives they have positively impacted on.
Were you at the Toyzone event on 27 May? If so, share your photos with us on Twitter @RK_Gazette or email ashtynm@caxton.co.za
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