A wheelchair-bound Westridge man is in for the ride of his life as he strives to raise R22 000 for a motorised wheelchair.
Salie van Niekerk, 44, who was diagnosed with polio as a baby, works as the marketing manager of Cafe Classique at Westgate Mall, where he distributes flyers and engages with customers.
While Mr Van Niekerk was initially looking for help to upgrade his wheelchair with a battery at a cost of R3 500, he is now in need of a power wheelchair, with full back and neck support.
He said following an article in the Plainsman, donors came forward to help but an assessment showed he needed the wheelchair to offer his body more support (“Man needs help with wheelchair battery”, Plainsman June 19).
To date he has managed to save R8 900 in the kitty and shoppers have been generous to make donations in aid of the new wheelchair.
“I am immensely grateful for the support people have been giving me,” he said.
Anyone willing to help can call Mr Van Niekerk’s mother Shamiela on 021 391 0639.
