For 18-year-old Kamogelo, life changed forever in October 2024 when a devastating car accident left him paralysed from the neck down. Diagnosed as a C4 quadriplegic, he faced an uphill battle — from spinal surgery and months on a ventilator, to a cardiac arrest that nearly took his life. But through it all, his resilience never faltered.

What Kamogelo wanted more than anything was the chance to return to school, complete his matric, and live independently. But without access to a motorised wheelchair, that future felt out of reach.

His team at Muelmed Rehabilitation Hospital reached out to Hot Cares, and we knew we had to help. You can read the original story of his incredible courage here..

For Kamogelo’s parents, it’s the start of a brighter future: “We want him to finish school, get a job, and work for himself.” Thanks to your support, Kamogelo now has access to freedom, education, and the dignity every young person deserves.

We’ve seen this kind of transformation before — and it never stops inspiring us. Keith Mlotshwa, another Hot Cares Christmas recipient, continues to make remarkable strides in his recovery following a spinal cord injury that left him an incomplete paraplegic. After receiving neuro-physiotherapy support and mobility aids through Hot Cares, Keith recently reached out to share some wonderful news.

He told us how his new crutches have quite literally helped him get up — and out. Thanks to his hard work and your support, he’s now able to move more freely and is enjoying greater independence in daily life. Stories like Keith’s — and Kamogelo’s — remind us why access matters so deeply.

We’ve also seen incredible growth and empowerment through the Mandeville Wheelchair Rugby Club, another recipient of Hot Cares support under our Access theme. Led by the passionate Ilan Guest, this vibrant community had been struggling to keep up with demand — sharing equipment, turning away new players, and making do with worn-out chairs. But since receiving a donation of four professional-grade chairs, sourced from the UK thanks to Teddython funds, the transformation has been remarkable.

Players who were once sidelined are now thriving on court. One athlete, Castro, shared how his new chair has completely changed the way he plays:

“Since I got the new one, my performance has improved tremendously… now I’m free. I can do anything with my chair.”

With multiple players now competing at national level, and a structured setup that allows chairs to be passed down as others advance, the club has grown to three full squads — and with that, a powerful reminder that access to the right equipment opens up a whole new game.