Super cars motivate ill children
MELROSE – Ill children are taken for a spin in super cars to motivate them.
Children from The Sunflower Fund and Reach For A Dream Foundation were taken on a magical journey in high-performance vehicles at Melrose Nissan.
The event, SuperCars For SuperKids, which was organised by community members Bradley Ainge, Darren Fresco and Shelby Zimmerman, was started about two years ago. “The idea came about because I went through what these kids are going through – I was also sick,” said Ainge.
“My father would take me to see super cars and I would get into the cars. This motivated me to get better and carry on. I don’t see these children as being any different, they just have more obstacles to overcome.”
He explained that the trio tries to host the event every three months to motivate the children to get better so they can own such a car one day too. It is sponsored by the drivers of high-performance vehicles, as they give their time to drive the children in their personal vehicles.
Miguel Graca, a high-performance driver, said the route taken was along the M1, on Glenhove and Oxford roads and then back onto Corlett Drive.
“I have been part of this from the time it started. Doing this is amazing. It is a real privilege to spend time with the children and see a smile make its way onto their faces,” he said.
“People may say this is a selfless act but it is not. We, the drivers, get everything out of this because we get the opportunity to interact with the children.”
Each of the children who were present received chocolates, goodie bags, hats, The Sunflower Fund bandanas and breakfast which was sponsored by the drivers. Parents stood in awe as they watched their children’s mood transition into happiness as they, for a moment, forgot about their illness.
“Today was such a motivator for the children. It motivated them to get through the illness they are facing. Doctors often tell us they see an attitude change in children wanting to get better and out of the hospital when they are motivated through such events,” explained Melissa Green, branch manager for Reach For A Dream Johannesburg.
Zimmerman urged members of the community to come and experience one of the events so they can understand the privilege that it is to be surrounded by the children and how important it is to make a difference in their life.
Ainge said while the event does not really require funding, community members can contribute by donating items such food and flowers for the morning.
Details: Bradley Ainge 083 644 1996.
