Brave people and their lonely struggle.
On the 29th of April 2008, Hannes Steyn, a friend and the five year old son of his friend, boarded a Cessna 210 Centurion plane.
Hannes was assisiting his friend, the pilot, whom was taking his son for a visit to his grandparents in Newcastle, South Africa.
They took off from Krosa Sand Quarry in Krokodilspruit, north from Pretoria. The pilot lost controll of the craft, and the plane crashed into the only tree in the vicinity.
As the plane bust into flames, Hannes escaped the burning inferno. He sustained 75% burn wounds, of which 70% had been third degree burns. The pilot and his son expired in the flames.
More detail about the accident can be seen at
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-pilot-the-plane-a-crash-and-a-fire
After spending five months in an intensive care unit, he finally went home. Four months after homecoming, Hannes was up in the air again. He overcame a fear for flight. Bravely he re-started his life again, refusing to succumb to self-pity.
Badly scarred, he underwent two skingraft procedures, but a lot more has to be done.
A plastic surgeon in Israel has got the latest technoloy and ability that will give this brave man a new face, befitting of his new life.
The medical aid fund will not be able to cover the cost for this procedure. Hannes did not complain, he just work harder, trying more to save for this opportunity. It is difficult. The responsibility towards his wife and two young children has been the first priority.
He will be a much older man before he will be able to do it on his own. Then his friends and relatives decided to help.
A golf day was organised, and a trust fund was established. Hannes was allways there to assist anybody and everybody even in difficult conditions. Now he can be on the receiving end.
The golf day happened on 22 June 2010 at the Pebble Rock Golf Club in Pretoria North. After a succesfull day ZAR 150 000.00 were collected. Amazing feat for a small group of friends. But alas, it will not be enough.
After asking Hannes for his permission to do so, he reluctantly concent for us to publish his story. There may be more people out there, who would like to assist this fund.
Be sure to read more about this amazing brave man, who's allways thinking of his neighbour first, before he will do so for himself.
We want to give our friend his face back. If it was you, being scarred by fire, wouldn't it be nice if a stranger do that for you too.
This picture,is Hannes today. We cannot help everywhere all the time, but we can make a difference some places, some times.
Supporting the trustfund, may help finance the operations. We do not ask for ourselves, but for a man humble and brave. This man is great. This man is our friend!
Detail for the Trust Fund:
Name: Rubica Trust
Bank: Absa, South Africa
Acc Nr: 906 036 8293
Branch Code: 632-005
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