It was an extremely happy day for Kiara-Leigh Thomas (5) on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Grade R learner at Smiley Kids Primrose has been collecting plastic bottle tops to help an elderly person by obtaining a wheelchair for them (GCN, March 9, \u201cBringing love to the elderly).<\/p>
She has been working extremely hard on her collection and has managed to collect a large number of bottle tops so far but not enough as yet to get a wheelchair.<\/p>\n
However, when Interwaste, which runs the recycling initiative, saw Kiara-Leigh\u2019s story and how dedicated she was to make a difference in the lives of the elderly, they decided to give her and her project a boost by donating a wheelchair to Kiara-Leigh to give to an elderly person.<\/p>
\u201cIt is incredible to see a five-year-old take such a strong stand and want to make a difference,\u201d said Natasha Willcocks, the marketing coordinator from Interwaste.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe donation of the wheelchair from us is a good boost for her to continue her project.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kiara-Leigh was ecstatic about receiving the wheelchair and she wanted it donated to a granny at Elandsvallei Home for the Aged.<\/p>\n
Wendy Hahme, the matron for Elandsvallei, said they chose Jean Allen (87) as the recipient as she is starting to battle to walk and is in need of a wheelchair.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very happy,\u201d Kiara-Leigh said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not sure what the granny will do when she gets her wheelchair but I think she will smile and be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kiara-Leigh is continuing to collect plastic bottle tops and is also collecting bread tags and yoghurt tubs to add to her recycling initiative.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still want to help the elderly people and I still want to collect enough for 100 wheelchairs,\u201d Kiara-Leigh said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
RELATED ARTICLE:<\/span><\/p>\n My Hero: Kiara-Leigh is bringing light and love to the elderly<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Her grandparents, Antonio and Cathy de Jesus, and Antoinette Freyermuth are extremely proud of Kiara-Leigh and thank all who have been involved in helping her make a difference.<\/p>\n To add to the wheelchair donation, Smiley Kids Primrose also donated blankets to the residents of Elandsvallei Home for the Aged.<\/p>\n Owner of the school Hermien Kruger told the GCN they have \u201cadopted\u201d the home and will be making special Mother\u2019s Day and Father\u2019s Day gifts for the home and help where they can.<\/p>\n Natasha told the GCN that a person or organisation needs to collect 450kg of plastic bottle tops for one wheelchair or 45kg of bread tags.<\/p>\n \u201cAs you collect you can bring the items to Interwaste where a weigh will be done and this will be documented in a controlled method.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce you have the correct weight you must provide documentation of the person or NPO you wish to donate the wheelchair to and then you can collect the wheelchair from us or we will come and do a handover,\u201d said Natasha.<\/p>\n Natasha said Interwaste will also be visiting Kiara-Leigh\u2019s school to give the children a presentation to show how the recycling works so they can understand what happens to the bottle tops they are giving to Kiara-Leigh.<\/p>\n Kiara-Leigh\u2019s parents, Nicita-Nicole and Kyle, are behind her 100 per cent and are proud of their daughter.<\/p>\n To assist Kiara-Leigh with her collection, bottle tops, bread tags and yoghurt tubs can either be dropped off at the school situated at 14 Poplar Street, Primrose or the GCN\u2019s offices situated at 25 Main Road, Fishers\u2019 Hill.<\/p>\n Alternatively, contact Nicita-Nicole on 071 177 7444 or email her at nicita.fourie@gmail.com.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n