Each of our 108 recipients have their own story, with their own unique challenges and goals. As part of our pledge to support the seriously injured rugby players in SA, we cover the essentials as far as we can and when hopes and dreams are revealed, we try to work with the individuals to make them come true too. The challenges that paraplegic and quadriplegic people face on a daily basis are overwhelming and unavoidable. This means that setting goals over and above just surviving is hard to comprehend. So when our guys do set their sights on personal goals we strive to encourage them to believe in themselves and GO FOR IT!
Sikhosonke’s dream to meet Victor Matfield was revealed whilst a short promotional video was being produced for the Fund earlier this year. Sikhosonke had been selected as the subject of the video as he has made the staff and Trustees of the Fund very proud. He and his friend Vuyo Mashologo, (also a recipient of the Fund) enrolled three years ago in a management course at Dower College in Port Elizabeth. Since then they have been impeccable students and have illustrated how it is possible to be in charge of one’s destiny. They have grown from strength to strength in so many aspects of their lives and continue to support each other onwards and upwards.
Sikhosonke & Vuyo with their class mates at Dower College
After placing the video online, Sikhosonke’s story was an instant hit. Each viewer implored the Players’ Fund staff to get “Vic” and Sikhosonke together. This lead the office staff to set up a crowdfunding page through Thundafund. Two weeks after initiating the project, the goal of R20k was reached thanks to the following individuals.
Tank Lanning
Merryck Griffiths
Jan Arnold
Beverley Commerford
Tommy Cawson
Tori Gardner
Lunda Wright
Janet Christy
KT
Robbie B
Gail Baerecke
Various anonymous donors
A massive thanks also needs to go to The Sports Science Institute of SA for their generous donation and to the Matt Hampson Foundation who are known for their slogan “Get Busy Living”. The MH Foundation is an organisation in the United Kingdom which supports all sports players who have been seriously injured. The story of Sikhosonke spoke directly to their cause and we’re so grateful for their encouragement and support here in SA.
The Fund has been in contact with Victor Matfield, who is currently playing for Northampshire in the UK and the meeting between Sikhosonke and “Vic” is scheduled to take place in June this year. Not only will Sikhosonke meet “Vic’, but him and Vuyo will be flown up from the Eastern Cape, to Johannesburg, where they will be treated to a weekend of all out rugby VIP treatment around the Springbok match against Ireland.
Thanks so all those who pledged their support and we encourage you to watch this space for an update later.