The City of Cape Town\u2019s Fire & Rescue Service handed over a R50 000 donation to the Red Cross War Memorial Children\u2019s Hospital. The money will go towards The Children\u2019s Hospital Trust\u2019s therapeutic playground project.<\/p>\n
Firefighters raised the money at their last annual ball in 2019 and only now had the opportunity to hand over the gift.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2018Our firefighters are at the coalface, saving lives every day, and see first-hand how young lives are impacted by fire. They are the ones who run in to take the children out of burning homes and despite this heartbreaking task, they continue to follow up with the little ones when they\u2019re in hospital,\u2019 said Alderman JP Smith, the City\u2019s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The City\u2019s firefighters have been fundraising for the hospital\u2019s burns unit since 2009, but in 2012 they decided to grow their initiative with most of the funds being raised at an annual firefighters\u2019 ball.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The R50 000 they raised in 2019 was due to be handed over the following year, but Covid-19 regulations halted it.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
At the head of the project is Platoon Commander Anthony Hughes, who retires at the end of July with 40 years\u2019 service.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2018We used to visit the children in the wards, not only to follow their progress, but to brighten their day and ours. They crept into our hearts as they are the ones who suffer most when there\u2019s a fire. Many of them are scarred or maimed for life and have to stay in hospital for years. I\u2019ve had help from my fellow firefighters who came on board, and although shift work made it difficult, those who could, lent a helping hand,\u2019 said Commander Hughes.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The donation is earmarked for the therapeutic playground project, which is an inclusive play area where children of all abilities can grow and learn through physical, sensory and social experiences.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2018Our firefighters have shown that not only do they put their lives on the line to provide an indispensable service crucial to the safety and security of all our residents, but their dedication goes beyond the job. They put their hearts into it and their passion is to be commended,\u2019 said Alderman Smith.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Pauline Solomons, Donor Relations Manager, Legacies & Community Fundraising for the Trust, thanked the firefighters.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2018The Children\u2019s Hospital Trust is incredibly grateful for the loyal and generous donation from our City firefighters. Thank you for keeping the little ones close to your hearts as 100% of this generous donation will go towards building the inclusive play areas. Most importantly, these play areas will bring so much value to burns patients who, through play therapy, will increase their skin mobility as well as aid in the sensory stimulation of their skin,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Source: City Of Cape Town<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The City of Cape Town\u2019s Fire & Rescue Service handed over a R50 000 donation to the Red Cross War Memorial Children\u2019s Hospital. The money will go towards The Children\u2019s Hospital Trust\u2019s therapeutic playground project.Firefighters raised the money a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n