Most young boys dream of growing up to become a firefighter. The cool gear, roar of the engine or the perceived excitement of putting out a blazing fire all adds to the allure.
The actuality however, is that the life of a firefighter is a selfless act of service to the community, one that involves dangerous activities and requires an immense amount of courage.
Jonathan Pillay, firefighter for the Umgungundlovu District Municipality, currently in the rank of Training Officer, has taken his courage and selflessness to a whole new level with the formation of a non-profit organisation called Firefighters for Kids Fighting Cancer.
With a passion for helping people, Jonathan recognised the desire to give back when he helped his wife with a charity organisation she is involved with. He organised a fire engine for an event and noticed the pure joy and excitement radiating from the children as a result.
“What really drove me to start the group was a three year old child, on his last stages of cancer, whose dream was to be a firefighter. I arranged for him to be a firefighter for the day. The smile on his face was priceless. He was so excited that he forgot all about the pain”.
When faced with debilitating pain, there is little to offer comfort to a child whose life revolves around incessant treatment and repeat hospitalisations. Parents face the horror of escalating medical expenses as well as the trauma associated with dealing with their child’s illness and inevitably, death.
Normal childhood experiences are lost when their reality is that of frightening medical procedures and permanent pain.
“I recognised the benefit of pooling together a small group of local firefighters to raise funds for cancer organisations and support the families emotionally as well as financially with ever increasing medical expenses. More than that, it is about putting a smile on little faces, offering a pleasant distraction – something that brings me immense joy”.
If only for a day, children need to experience joy that is unbridled and the thrill of having their childhood fantasies come to life. Jonathan is one such person who has endeavoured to fulfil this dream. In this way, his role as a serviceman to the community is multifaceted and one that is rewarding to him as a person.
For more information, donations or to get involved, please join the Public Group on Facebook and get in touch with Jonathan Pillay today.
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