Sydney Miller was visiting the area when the Boknes fires broke out. The flames came, and he helped fight them. Until a life-threatening snakebite changed everything. Today, the community he stood beside has raised over R200,000 to help him recover!
Eastern Cape, South Africa (14 January 2026) – Sydney and his brother Bobby ran towards the flames that raged in the areas around Boesmansriviermond last week.
They’re not firefighters; they just wanted to help. Shoulder to shoulder with community members who showed up to do the same.
Sadly, Sydney was bitten by a snake while working in thick smoke and poor visibility.
At first, no one realised how serious it was. He walked back to the car, insisted he was fine… and then collapsed. From there, everything moved fast. A local doctor recognised the symptoms, ambulances were called, anti-venom administered, and Sydney was transferred to Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha, where he remains under close observation.
And now, the community he stood alongside has shown up for him in the most incredible way…
According to an update shared by the Boesmansriviermond Ratepayers’ Organisation (BRRAG), more than R200,000 has been raised to support his recovery!
Contributions have streamed in from across South Africa and even from as far as the US.
Those funds are now being used to cover Sydney’s medical expenses, specialised treatment, and travel costs, as well as to help make him more comfortable during what has been a painful and drawn-out recovery. Any money not used for treatment will go directly to Sydney to help support him financially while he’s unable to work.
Sydney is self-employed and has been stuck in Gqeberha for treatment ever since the fire. He was on holiday in Boesmansriviermond when he volunteered to help fight the blaze that threatened farms and homes. He didn’t have to step in, but he did. And it nearly cost him his life.
A special mention was also made of BRRAG committee member Gibbon Schickerling, who independently started a fundraising campaign that raised an additional R25,000 for Sydney.
For now, he remains in Livingstone Hospital’s trauma ward under close observation. While the organisation hasn’t shared specific medical details, they’ve confirmed he’ll be hospitalised for at least another week, possibly longer, and is still experiencing significant discomfort.
He hasn’t been alone. Sue Muirhead, another BRRAG committee member, has been visiting Sydney regularly and helping to make sure his needs are met while he’s far from home.
“Since we are unable to reach out to every individual or organisation personally, please accept this message of thanks as though it were addressed directly to each of you. We are deeply grateful for every act of kindness and support shown to Sydney during this challenging time. Your generosity has made a real difference.” shares BRRAG.
This story started with a terrible fire but it continues because of community. Sydney was just visiting. But he showed up anyway. And now, thousands of people have shown up for him. That’s South Africa for you!
Sources: Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 