D’ OUWE WERF HANDS OVER NEW WHEELCHAIR

D’ OUWE WERF HANDS OVER NEW WHEELCHAIR

(18 August 2011) Having completed the epic 932km Fairbairn Capital/Old Mutual joBerg2c cycle challenge in May 2011 to raise money for the purchase of a customised wheelchair, Elanie Potgieter, General Manager of Stellenbosch’s historic d’ Ouwe Werf Hotel, saw the fruits of her labour come to fruition at a handover that took place at Woodside Special Care Centre this week.

Potgieter used the cycling event as a platform to raise money for the purchase of a custom made, motorized wheelchair for Sherna Sauls, a resident at Woodside Special Care Centre in Cape Town.  Sherna is a 21 year old physically disabled person with a very limited range of movement and her new motorized wheelchair means that she is now able to control her own mobility by using only the tips of the fingers of her right hand to operate her new motorized wheelchair.

“Our Kids of the Cape Fund” was established in March 2007 and is registered as a Non-Profit Organisation with the South African Department of Social Development. d’Ouwe Werf Hotel is part of the Petousis Family’s Hotel Collection, which also includes the Townhouse Hotel & Conference Centre and the Vineyard Hotel & Spa.  The fund supports wellness and education projects in the Western Cape and guests are encouraged to contribute to the fund by adding a negligible amount (generally less than R5) to their bill. The three properties then match their contributions rand for rand in support of four long-term beneficiaries and various ad hoc projects. The hotels are all actively involved in making a difference in the community and the CSI fund currently contributes towards Woodside’s operational costs on a monthly basis.

“It was so worthwhile for me to see the huge smile on Sherna’s face, commented Potgieter, after handing over the wheelchair. “I will be cycling again next year to raise more money and would definitely encourage more establishments to get involved with their communities to make that small, but much needed difference.”