Jordan McCourt raised $1,050 through recycling bottles this year and he donated all of the money to Micaela Martin for a much-needed tracking lift system not covered by the government.
Micaela is a 12-year-old girl who suffers from cerebral palsy and is unable to stand. Her occupational therapist Cris Rowan said she was getting too heavy to lift and move around the house, and therefore needed the lift system.
"The sling goes under Micaela, and then she is raised up by the motor unit and tracked to wherever she needs to go. This system is essential for persons with disabilities like Micaela's and serves to not only allow her safe transfers, but also prevents injury to caregivers as they don't need to lift her," Rowan said.
McCourt is confined to a wheelchair himself, suffers from seizures and cerebral palsy and has a hole in his heart, but still he works to help fill the needs of others.
Throughout the year, McCourt and his grandparents Sandi and David Cavalier collect and recycle bottles and cans, saving the money raised to help people in need on the Sunshine Coast.
Last year McCourt heard of a person who had a stroke and was in need of an electric wheelchair. He and his grandmother sourced a suitable chair and paid for all the repairs and upgrades needed at a price tag of almost $900.
This year they were unsure where the money they raised would go.
"We were looking for somebody but nobody came forward this year. There was nobody that came to mind," Sandi said.
"We happened to be looking through the paper and we saw they were having trouble keeping the riding going for the kids with special needs, and in that whole story Micaela was in there.
"They had mentioned that she couldn't get any help getting people to come to the house and work with her unless they finished paying for this track system," Sandi said.
Sandi read the Coast Reporter story to Jordan and he was keen to help.
Sandi got in touch with Micaela's mom, and soon the purchase was made. Micaela also needed new disc brakes for her manual wheelchair and McCourt funded that as well with the $1,050 donation.
He had the chance to meet with Micaela to give her the money himself, and although she couldn't communicate with him in words, McCourt enjoyed her company and feels he's made a friend in Micaela.
He said he wanted to help because Micaela needed it and he felt he could make a difference in her life.
People can help McCourt's efforts by donating cans and bottles to him. Donations of recyclables can be left at the Caps Off Bottle Depot in Sechelt behind Trail Bay Mall marked with McCourt's name.
He and his grandparents thank the community for their support of his ongoing fundraiser, especially a six-year-old girl who left him almost $5 in pennies at the depot.
"Samantha Brown left a little glass bottle of pennies for Jordan and he was just really moved by that and wanted to make sure he thanked her. Every little bit helps and that donation helped us reach the $1,050 we needed because we were $5 short," Sandi said.
