Pensioner helps out grieving mom
Cape Argus reader feels compelled to donate some cash
AFTER seeing Nicola Wildschut crying on TV over the loss of her child and the huge hospital bill she was sent, Lin Kimberley felt the need to reach out and help. Kimberley, from Malmesbury, donated R1 200 to the parents of Faigon, 7.
Faigon sustained head injuries in a car crash. He was transported by private car to Delft Hospital, where his family waited for hours for an ambulance to take him to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
The ambulance eventually arrived but was hijacked en route to the hospital. Faigon was declared dead on arrival.
In a TV interview, a tearful Nicola said that they didn’t receive any counselling and were left with a R10 000 hospital bill.
“As soon as I heard the story, my heart bled for these people,” said Kimberley.
“I cannot imagine what they must be going through and I want nothing more than to lighten their load in some way.
“I don’t care about what they do with the money because there are probably more pressing financial concerns. I just want to make their pain feel a little less.
“As a pensioner I cannot donate much, but I sincerely hope the little I am able to donate will help. I want to bring a little bit of light into their lives.”
Nicola said her life has been turned upside down after the death of her son.
“I couldn’t concentrate at work anymore,” she said. “Chailom (Faigon’s father) and I live in a rented house we can barely afford and financially things have become very difficult.
“I don’t know how we will be able to pay this huge bill. I don’t know how to deal with the pressure of paying this bill while I’m still grieving my son. I don’t know what to do any more.”
The Cape Argus brought Kimberley in touch with Faigon’s parents. In a phone call, the two women cried as Nicola said over and over “thank you”.
Nicola and Chailom have begun grief and trauma counselling at Red Cross and are hopeful that things will become easier for the family in future.