New ‘wheels’ for Mekayla
An overwhelmed Mekayla was presented her motorised 'wheels', adorned with festive balloons, two teddy bears and a personalised numberplate with 'Mekayla' on the back.
A young Toti girl’s world grew a bit bigger when she received the first wheelchair from the Buy a Ride, Give Them Wheels campaign on Thursday, 7 May.
Six-year-old Mekayla, a charge of Operation Bobbi Bear, was born with congenital myopathy and will unfortunately never walk.
Mark White Nissan Amanzimtoti started the campaign five weeks ago, where a percentage is put aside for the wheelchair foundation from any vehicle sold from the dealership.
The campaign focuses on the donation of traditional wheelchairs, however Mekayla’s case was a special one that necessitated a motorised version.
“We plan to donate a wheelchair a month,” said dealer principal, Erwin Vermaak at the hand-over.
“We have delivered this wheelchair to you from the community,” he said to Mekayla.
“Our vision is caring and we like to give back to the community.
Besides contributions to the campaign, the dealership’s change a wheel, change a life competition at the Highlands Gathering also helped with the cost, as well as a personal donation from Erwin, and assistance from One Stop Medical Suppliers which sold the wheelchair at cost.
The public is welcome to contribute to the campaign and contact the dealership if they know someone in the community who is in need of a wheelchair.
An overwhelmed Mekayla was presented her motorised ‘wheels’, adorned with festive balloons, two teddy bears and a personalised numberplate with ‘Mekayla’ on the back.
Mark White Nissan Amanzimtoti selected Mekayla as its first recipient of the campaign after marketing executive, Carol Mathews met her while she was temping at Medi Cross Inter Care in Athlone Park. Ironically Mekayla was been treated after falling because she did not have the correct chair to sit in.
An emotional Eureka Olivier of Bobbi Bear thanked the large audience who had arrived to share in the young girl’s delight. “Mekayla is Bobbi Bear’s princess,” she said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving her mobility. This is not just a wheelchair, but freedom for her to go and play with the other chidren.”
And typical of royalty, Mekayla had the last word with a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to her new ‘wheels’.
Email Carol carol@mwntoti.co.za.
