South Africans have rallied together to give child burn survivors a new lease of life. Thanks to a fundraiser spearheaded by Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels, over R2 million has been raised for not one but two burns laser machines that will heal and change little lives at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Johannesburg, South Africa (13 June 2025) – More child burn survivors will get to receive the life-changing treatment they so desperately need, thanks to kind hearts and real-life angels.
In honour of Youth Month, the Jacaranda FM Good Morning Angels spearheaded a fundraising initiative to help the Avela Foundation buy not one but two burns laser machines. Thanks to the incredible generosity of listeners, businesses, and the wider public, not only did they reach their initial target of R1.4 million, but they exceeded it!
The Avela Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping children with burn injuries on their journey to physical and psychological recovery.
The specialised equipment they use to heal scarring in children at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, unfortunately, broke down last year.
“We set out to raise enough for a new laser machine, and thanks to the generosity of our listeners and their companies, we reached that target just before 8 am, with more donations continuing to come in,” Jacaranda FM shares.
“We were told by the laser machine supplier that they would discount a second machine to R1.3 million, so that became the next target.”
And as of yesterday, more donations poured in from generous businesses, ultimately bringing the total of funds to a heart-stopping total of R2.7 million!
This incredible achievement means the Avela Foundation can now assist 40 children a month, free of charge, in healing from the painful scars and impaired mobility left by traumatic burns.
Deeply moved by the outpouring of donations, kindness, and support toward making all this a reality, the Avela Foundation shared:
“We are absolutely blown away by the incredible generosity and support, from R25 to much larger contributions. The laser machine is coming soon.
“Thank you for standing with us @jacarandafm @smilefoundationsa @jacabreakfast. Thank you, South Africa, for coming together in this incredible initiative to help burn survivors. Your compassion, generosity, and unity remind us of the POWER we have when we stand TOGETHER.”
Countless little lives are about to find healing and renewed confidence – and it is all thanks to you, Mzansi!
Sources: Jacaranda FM Good Morning Angels: Avela Foundation
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