A racehorse trainer from Texas has donated 5 million to the

KwaZulu-Natal Children’s Hospital in Durban.

The money is for a playground suitable for children with disabilities.

Susan Moulton said she stepped in after hearing of an appeal for funding from the chief executive of the hospital’s trust, Dr Arthi Ramkissoon.

“I visited Durban a few years ago and was moved by what I saw and heard about the hospital. As we walked along the beach, I noticed the state of the hospital and just hearing about its past left quite an impression on me.

“Coincidentally, after my return, a friend mentioned that the hospital was in need of funds and an appeal had been made by Dr Ramkissoon. I immediately remembered the hospital and came forward with a contribution,” Moulton said.

The donation is in memory of Moulton’s child, Will Smith, after whom her organisation, the Will Smith Foundation, is named.

Will was 8 years old when he was killed in a car crash in the US.

“I want children at the hospital to have a positive experience when they come here for treatment. My son was full of life and I recall him saying after one of our trips to Africa that the next time he returned he wanted to bring all his toys, so that he could give them to children who didn’t have any.

“Sadly, he didn’t get to do that and so I feel this is one way of giving back, which Will loved to do. He opened his heart to the world and shared anything he could,” Moulton said.

She said she would also bring other donors to the hospital.

The cost of rebuilding the hospital has almost doubled from the initial projection of R300 million, to R540m.

The project started with a R50m grant from the KZN Department of Health, a partner in the rebuilding project, with the shortfall coming from fund-raising.

The playground will be a collaboration between the Will Smith Foundation and another US NGO, Shane’s Inspiration, which designs and project manages the construction of playgrounds around the world for children with disabilities, also educating children about children with disabilities.

The organisation was formed in memory of Shane Williams who was born with spinal muscular atrophy and died two weeks after birth. The genetic disorder results in muscle weakness and loss of movement.

The playground will serve not only as a play area for children with disabilities, but also as a sensory-rich environment for occupational therapists to work with children.

“We are very grateful for the generous donation and thrilled that the Children’s Hospital will play such a significant role in housing the first playground (of this type) for children with disabilities on the continent,” Ramkissoon said.

The hospital is expected to become fully operational by 2018.

August 7 2015 at 11:04am
By ZOHRA MOHAMED TEKE