Friday, 13 August, 2010

The SHOUT Foundation, in association with Lead SA, has donated R24 000 to the widow of one of the elite police officers killed in the tragic July helicopter accident.

On Friday, Liza de Bruin (27), wife of Sergent Daniel de Bruin (affectionately known as Kraai), was surprised with the cash donation by Darren Simpson and the Breakfast Xpress team on 94.7 Highveld Stereo.

Gavin Koppel, board member of the SHOUT Foundation, was honoured to assist the family.

“Kraai is a fallen hero who stood in harms way for all South Africans and it’s a privilege to be able to give back to his family,” said Koppel. “We are heartbroken by this tragedy but our spirit is not. We cannot and will not turn our back on those in need if it is within our means.”

Kraai was a member of the National Intervention Unit (NIU).  On 23 July Kraai was killed in a helicopter crash en route to a robbery in Witbank. A total of seven policemen were killed in this helicopter crash.

After the death of her husband, Liza and her two sons, CJ (11) and JP (5), have been left without an income. She currently lives in a wooden wendyhouse in Danville, west of Pretoria.

Liza and her children share the wendyhouse with Kraai’s parents and sister who lost everything when they returned from Zimbabwe.

Through the SHOUT Foundation Liza will receive R8 000 for the next three months, by which time the South African Police Service’s Widows and Orphans Fund will be able to financially assist the family.

***insert quote from Liza***

Darren Simpson, host of the Breakfast Xpress, was made aware of Liza’s situation by a family friend, Guinevere (Gwen) Denton, who wrote a letter pleading for any financial assistance.

“I immediately turned to the SHOUT Foundation and they offered more than I could imagine,” said Simpson. “SHOUT is certainly living the Lead SA philosophy.”

Lead SA, a 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Pretoria News and The Star initiative, aims to mobilise South Africans to look within, and be the change they want to see. With nation building and respect for the country and its laws as key drivers, Lead SA encourages all South Africans to make a difference, no matter how small, to the lives of those around them. The Lead SA initiative is a long term project that is set to be rolled out over the next few years.

To find out more information visit www.leadsa.co.za

For any media queries please contact Jade Menezies, 94.7 Highveld Stereo PR and Communications Co-ordinator, on 011 506 3524, 084 661 3125 or jadem@primedia.co.za

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