Two teen brothers from Heideveld have been hailed as heroes by cops and a local organisation for helping to raise the much-needed funds for a crime prevention project in their community.
Ridhaa Hendricks, 16, and his younger brother, Ra’eed, 13, started with just R100 and a prayer, but together they raised more than R1500 and gathered goods for an event hosted by the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit (WCMPU), aimed at getting children in the streets for a play day.
Proud mom, Rushdeya, 47, says on his 16th birthday Ridhaa had received money as a gift from relatives.
He approached social crime prevention officer, Constable Natasha Landers, from Manenberg police and told her he heard about the children’s day and wanted to sponsor R100.
FUN TIMES: The laaities having a lekker play day
The officer says she was surprised by the boy’s selfless act.
“The WCMPU hosts these ‘It’s Playtime’ events each week and last week Saturday was our turn,” she explains.
SELFLESS ACT: Ridhaa Hendricks was hard at work on the fun day
“So I had to get donations to make up party packets for the children and tried for three weeks, but got very little. Then this boy contacted me and I was surprised. He had R100 and a box of biscuits and by the next day he had R1500.”
Rushdeya says she is proud of her sons, who attend Al-Azhar High in Athlone.
“Ridhaa went to pray about it and together they decided to start asking friends and family and got all the donations,” she says.
“The event was held at Grace Court on Saturday and over 200 children came out and enjoyed the treats and games. I am so proud of them and hope this will encourage other children.”
It’s Playtime was started two years ago after the death of Elsies River toddler Courtney Pieters, to create awareness about child abductions, says WCMPU founder Candice van der Rheede.
“We incorporate games, team building and give talks.”
AIM: Organisers want the children to be children
Candice says she is very impressed with Ridhaa and Ra’eed, who not only raised money and donations, but also “sacrificed their time and helped at the event”.