Bitou top brass reach out to needy

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Freedom Day for Bitou's top brass was all about reaching out to those in need in Plettenberg Bay.

Bitou Speaker Claude Terblanche heeded the call from a resident who had been left disabled following a recent accident.

"As a result of this, the lady found it difficult to move in and out of her house as it was not wheelchair friendly," he said.

After hearing her touching story, Terblanche mobilised his own resources and approached businesses and other organisations to assist in smoothing the ride as she approaches and enters her house.

Bitou Mayor Dave Swart (second from right) and other locals with the resident for whom a wheelchair ramp was built.

Robberg Quarry responded with ready-mix and the New Horizon Development Agency supported with the labour needed. Williams Builders supported the initiative with machinery and equipment.

"We are focused on mobilising each and everyone to be the best together," Terblanche said. Swart also reacted to a request from the Elderly and Disability Forum for the construction of a wheelchair ramp at the home of a disabled resident. "Being able to assist with these requests often needs the support of the community members and businesses in Bitou," Swart said.

Among those who supported his initiative was local Sean de Klerk and the Renov8-Unlimited team. Jack's Paint and Family Home Handyman Services' Craig Christie assisted with the materials that were needed and work to be done.

"This project was also co-funded from the Bitou Mayoral fund," Swart said. "This project has once again highlighted the importance of promoting awareness and understanding of the challenges that face our differently abled, many of which we take for granted. There is a need in many communities for disabled-friendly design of public spaces."

He added that everyone should remember that at any time, any able-bodied person could become disabled.

"Even simple things like railings on stairs in public areas will assist differently abled people." Swart said he was grateful for organisations and businesses that made life easier for those in need.

Bitou Mayor Dave Swart, together with other locals, assisted in making a wheelchair ramp for a disabled resident.

Some hard physical work went into making a wheelchair ramp for a disabled resident.

Thanks to Bitou Speaker Claude Terblanche and other members of the community, the disabled resident of this house now has a smooth ride into her home.