Fanie and Judy De Villiers were shocked to discover that their 2-year-old daughter, Sune, had profound hearing loss. The non-profit organisation, HEAR, was established by the De Villiers after a successful cochlear implant operation was performed on little Sune.
A cochlear implant entails the implant of electrodes inside the cochlea, stimulating the auditory nerve which leads to sound perception in the brain. The total cost of this procedure amounts to approximately R150 000. The charity HEAR hopes to raise funds to assist hearing impaired children receive the necessary treatment.
Fanie De Villiers recently embarked on a tractor trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg in order to raise funds for HEAR. The 'Tour De Fanie' culminated at the SuperSport Show in Pretoria on the first of September after a gruelling 23 days behind the tractor wheel.
For the past year SDD, the broad-based IT distributor in the Siltek Technology Chain Group, has supplied Fanie with a ToshibaPortege notebook PC. Fanie used this notebook on the original 'Tour De Fanie' which involved a bicycle trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg. For the 2001 'Tour De Fanie', SDD has upgraded Fanie to a Toshiba Satellite Pro, so that he can remain up-to-date and in contact with all tour information.
The rigours of tractor travel took its toll on the notebook, however, causing the screen to malfunction just outside Bultfontein. SDD's own 'Vinnige' Ferdi Goosen came to the rescue by driving down to Bultfontein to quickly rectify the problem, putting Fanie back on track in no time.
"SDD has offered both hardware and support to this cause, and we wish Fanie every success with this endeavour," says Christine Bergstedt, PR and communications manager at SDD.
Pledges and donations to the HEAR charity can be made by phoning 083 917 7364.
For more information, please contact: Christine Bergstedt PR & Communications Manager - SDD (011) 652 8222 christineb@sdd.com
Links: www.vinigefanie.co.za ; www.hearfanie.co.za
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