SIMPHIWE Linda (11) and his dad, George, have been going through a rough few months after he was caught in a crossfire and hit by a stray bullet. As a result, Simphiwe lost the use of both his legs.
George, a security guard, has done his best as a single parent to put Simphiwe and his older sister through school while providing for them on a daily basis on his small salary. They live in Rosettenville. His wife passed away a few years ago.
The family have been struggling to get by and one of Simphiwe’s school friends, Amahle (9), and her mom, Phumi Dzanibe, wrote in to 947’s Xpress Wish in the hope that the family could receive some support.
Amahle and Phumi’s wish is for Simphiwe to get a wheelchair this Christmas, along with hope and joy and the strength to be able to look forward without despair.
So in true 947 style, Darren Simpson called on Mike Page, the director of operations and complex manager at Gold Reef City, to assist. Mike jumped at the opportunity to help the family and offered to sponsor an active wheelchair to the value of R20 000.
In addition to this, Gold Reef City will turn Simphiwe’s home into a wheelchair friendly environment and supply a carer to look after him while George is at work. They will also give the family R3 000 a month, each month next year, to help with costs including transport to and from hospital. To make their Christmas special, Mike also offered a R5 000 food voucher and a portable PlayStation for Simphiwe. Also, to ensure that he gets to enjoy the same things all boys love, Mike offered to host Simphiwe and his family in Gold Reef City’s newly renovated entertainment hub once a month for 12 months.
Amahle wanted to help Simphiwe and his family as their school in Braamfontein has called on parents to donate whatever they can to help George visit his boy in hospital and to be able to give him food during this tough time. Although the donations have started to come in, Amahle and Phumi felt like it was not enough and wanted to do more for him, his sister and George.
Amahle and Phumi wanted to help, but due to their own financial limits they’re reached out to 947’s Xpress Wish. They wanted Simphiwe and his father to know that they are not alone and so another wish was granted.
