The Rachel Swart Fund

Welcome to The Rachel Swart Fund

Right from our earliest beginnings in 1960, The Rachel Swart Fund has been inspired by the courage and fortitude of those it serves.

Above all, we identify with disabled people's wish to lead full, active and independent lives – which we help them to achieve by providing motorised wheelchairs and devices for specialised postural support.

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Fundraiser - Dinner Dance

<sub>Friday Evening, the 12th of April, the Rachel Swart Fund had its first Dinner Dance Fund Raiser. The main purpose of this event was to create awareness and to raise funds especially for maintenance and repairs for the motorized wheelchair that the Fund's clients depend on for mobility and independence.

The Dinner Dance was well supported with 120 guests.  Richard Heath a quadriplegic member of the Fund's Committee, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, he along with Igsaan Hendricks another member of the Fund's Committee who is also a quadriplegic shared their stories of how Rachel Swart Fund had helped them with their first chairs and how they went on to become independent successful individuals.

A very big thank you to all who attended the fundraiser, and who made financial contributions.  The final profit of the event was R18 000 which will help many of the Fund's existing client's with much needed repairs to their chairs. The Rachel Swart Fund has been helping people living with disabilities for over 50 years and the Fund hopes to be around for many more years with the support of the community.</sub>

Andisiwe Mtintsilana Andisiwe Mtinsilana (16) from Philippi, a pupil at Thembaletu School, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  This has resulted in progressive generalised weakness especially in all the limbs. She requires assistance with all self care tasks and transfers. She used a standard wheelchair, however she was unable to self propel, and therefore was dependent on others for mobility. She needed a motorized chair suited to her specific needs. Andisiwe is a client at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre in Lentegeur, and they unfortunately could not help her with a motorized chair.  They submitted an application to the Rachel Swart Fund, who was able to buy a new chair for her, with funding they received from The Australian Aid. Andisiwe letter of thanks: I would like to really appreciate the offer /donation you have offered me.  Never in my wildest dreams have I thought I would oneday have a motorized wheelchair considering my health and handicapped situation and financial status, it was impossible. I am now mobile and can move from point-A-to-point-B without trouble. I enjoy driving my bakkie without any assistance hence my body is weak to drive any ordinary wheelchair it is an honour to drive this one as it is so easy too. I enjoy every ride and feel very comfortable in it.  I will feel Indebted to my sponsors for the rest of my life. I feel alive again. Thank you Kindly regards Yours faithfully Andisiwe Mtintsilana