Online Reporter
H-Metro Reporter
THE father of a 12-year-old schoolboy, who was honoured on Friday night as the Young Disability Advocacy Champion of the Year, says he is hopeful the gong will inspire other children to do the same.
Declan Rice, 12, was honoured at the Zimbabwe Community Trailblazers awards in Harare on Friday night.
He is a pupil at Ruzawi School and he touched many when he raised funds for his friend Simbarashe Pako who needed to be enrolled at Jairos Jiri School in Rusape for disabled children because of his hearing disabilities.
Simba’s parents work for Declan’s father on their farm in Rusape.
Declan raised US$6 000 when he cycled 30kms along the Mutare Road to enable Simba to be treated at Baines Clinic in Harare.
His father, Kerry Stranger, said:
“Thank you Mr (Albert) Masaka (organiser of the awards) and the Trailblazers team for a wonderful evening and for recognising Declan.
“It’s such an inspiration to him and hopefully other young people will want to positively impact their communities more.”
Masaka said:
“Declan is a community champion. Imagine going to that extent to help a friend. We need such generous people in the community.
“He is a disability advocate and champion who deserves such a recognition.”
Mathew Masinge