Zululanders get behind Bella

A fun 6-a-side hockey tournament was hosted at Addison Park on Tuesday to raise money for the foundation.

July 14, 2016

Richard Springorum 1 minute read

Jordan Mathias of Felixton College goes on the break during the six-a-side hockey fund-raising tournament

FORMER Zululander Bella Polkinghorne was medically diagnosed with anorexia and was literally lying on her deathbed when doctors advised her parents to send the 11-year-old to an institution in Utah (USA) for specialist treatment.

Owing to medical institutions in South African only taking in children from 14 years and older, the Polkinghorne family was forced to send Bella to America.

On arrival, the family was informed that Bella, who by then weighed only 25kg, would have to stay at the institution for six months for full recovery at a cost of $1 000 (R14 000) per day. She has since shown improvement, moving out of the ‘red zone’ to the ‘yellow zone’.

Sport legends such as Shaun Pollock, famous musicians and other organisations rallied behind the ‘Bella Polkinghorne Fun-Raiser’ and have helped financially to try and save Bella.

A horse named Bella Bella raced in the Durban July for the foundation, while a handful of athletes raised money by completing the Comrades Marathon and undertaking cycling fund-raisers.

St Catherine’s School teacher Debbie Brink, Bella’s godmother, teamed up with Felixton College Junior School Sports Co-ordinator Teresa Wickham and hosted a fun 6-a-side hockey tournament at Addison Park on Tuesday to raise money for the foundation.

Fourteen teams signed up for the competition.

When all the dust had settled and the points added up, A1 Crazy Minions won the A section, B5 Bulldogs the B section and C5 ‘B’ Team the C section.

‘I would really like to thank Le-Anne Kleiner, John Deer, Addison Park and the volunteers for getting on board to make this day possible,’ said Brink.

Anyone interested in supporting the foundation can contact Brink on 081 0189769.