Shanaya’s brother’s love for his sister knows no limits
He set his heart on completing a 6,7km mountain bike race and started raising funds by asking 67 people to donate R6,70 towards his cycle race.
Shanaya Govender, affectionately known as Shanaya The First, died surrounded by her family after a brave battle against Stage 4 Ewing’s Sarcoma on 16 May, 2019.
Ewing’s Sarcoma is a very rare form of childhood cancer. It occurs in and around the bones and Shanaya fought it with grace and dignity, right up to her very last breath.
Shanaya’s brother, Vikeshlyn (Kesh), affectionately known to his little sister as Unna, wanted to honour her memory and raise funds for his favourite charity, Rainbows and Smiles.
Kesh decided to take up the Nelson Mandela Day challenge at his school, Weltevreden Park Primary School. It would be the first time Kesh had taken on a sporting challenge of this magnitude.
At the tender age of nine, he was determined to show the world that he could make a difference and honour his sister.
He set his heart on completing a 6,7km mountain bike race and started raising funds by asking 67 people to donate R6,70 towards his cycle race.
Kesh, together with his sporting hero and adopted aunty, Bonita Suckling, took on the challenge and although it was extremely windy and his legs were extremely sore, there was no way he was giving up.
Bonita said, “Having walked the journey with this family, I hold each of them in such high regard. I have such respect and admiration for Kesh. Cycling next to him today was an honour and a privilege. Today’s cycle challenge meant more to me than any of my sporting achievements. Thank you, Kesh, for letting me be your cycle buddy and for raising funds to help your little sister’s friends.”
Kesh raised R7 804,07 in memory of his sister and proudly handed the cheque over to Bonita Suckling, founder member of Rainbows and Smiles, a childhood cancer foundation that provides social, emotional and financial support to families affected by childhood cancer.
Kesh said, “I miss my sister all the time and wish she had never transitioned to being a star. While I am here on earth, I will remember her every day. I miss being a big brother and having my best friend to build castle forts with. I am glad I raised the money to help other families and hope we find a cure, so no other brothers have to be sad.”
