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GEORGE NEWS - Injured chess champ Michael Sweetbert from George turned 12 last Saturday 4 February and brought smiles to the faces of 33 children at Bethesda when he gave them goodie bags.
Michael stayed at home in his donated hospital bed while the bags, filled with sweet treats, were delivered to Bethesda in Rosemoor on Sunday. His foster mother, Beverley Naudé, says there were party bags left from the party and they made up some more to hand out at Bethesda.
"We have been so blessed and wanted to give back. It was such a privilege," she says.
Michael was injured in an accident on 15 December last year.
While travelling with his foster dad, Eduan Naudé (65), to Boksburg to the SA junior chess championships, their car hit a tree. Naudé died in the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein a few days later.
His mom baked him a big colourful chocolate and marshmallow cake and decorated it with chocolate circles, pieces of KitKat and green leaves.
That is what the birthday boy ordered.
Beverley told the George Herald that Michael is recovering well although he still has bad days.
On starting his home-schooling, Michael says, "It's going well and I'm enjoying it".
"It has been five weeks since his operation and he still has a long way to go. He will visit the orthopaedic surgeon on 27 March and then we will find out what the way forward is. For now he needs to stay off his legs but he does light stretch exercises lying down," Beverley says.
The Michael Fund was created for him through the Eden Chess Union, as the family does not belong to a medical aid.
De Necker Dentistry George has contacted the family to see if they could help and will meet with them as soon as Michael is out of bed. Michael lost most of his teeth in the accident.
If you would like to help Michael, make your donation at:
Bank: Absa
Branch code: 632005
Account holder: SWD SSO
Account number: 407 8216 928
Reference: Michael Fund
Click here for previous articles:
- Jong skaakspeler vier verjaardag
- Injured chess champ back home
- Injured chess champ loses dad
- 11-jarige skaakspeler kritiek na ongeluk
ARTICLE & PHOTOS: LIZETTE DA SILVA, GEORGE HERALD NEWS EDITOR
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