Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels Raises R250,000 for Three-Year-Old Burn Victim Peyton Wahl
Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels has stepped in to support the family of three-year-old Peyton Wahl, raising R250,000 towards his medical treatment and long road to recovery following a devastating accident that left him with severe burns to 21% of his body.
The accident happened at home when Peyton fell into a bath of piping hot water. While the exact circumstances remain unclear, the little boy sustained extensive second- and third-degree burns and was rushed to the nearest private hospital for emergency treatment.
Without medical aid and facing costs that were simply beyond the family’s financial means, Peyton was later transferred to a state hospital in Pretoria, where he has since stabilised. His family continues to provide the pain medication he needs with the help of donations.
Peyton’s mother, Sheramé, is a much-loved teacher at the pre-school Peyton attends, and news of his accident quickly brought the school community together. Friends, parents and members of the wider community have rallied around the family, with several people also reaching out to Good Morning Angels on their behalf.
Around R400,000 has already been raised towards Peyton’s medical care, but with a long recovery ahead and the full cost of his treatment still unknown, the family urgently needs continued support.
The Wahl family’s story touched Len Enslin, CEO of Gearvest, and Lorna Enslin, CEO of Harvest Floor, the implementing partner of the recent Legends for Charity Golf Day. The pair, together with the Legends for Charity Golf Day, its players and supporters, have pledged R125,000 towards Peyton’s medical treatment.
The Good Morning Angels Fund has contributed a further R100,000, while, after hearing Peyton’s story on air, Marno Boshoff from King Price called into the show with an additional R25,000.
Together, the three contributions bring the total raised through this week’s Good Morning Angels appeal to R250,000.
For Peyton’s parents, the journey continues to be an emotional and exhausting one. They travel between their home in Kempton Park and Pretoria every day to be at their little boy’s side as he begins the long process of healing.
“Peyton’s story touched so many people, because accidents like this can happen in an instant, and he is just three years old. So many people reached out to us, particularly from the school community where his mom works. Having his dad in studio, hearing him tell Peyton’s story and seeing the emotion behind it was incredibly moving,” Martin Bester, host of Jacaranda FM’s Breakfast With Martin Bester. “To see the Angels come together again, as they do every Wednesday, to make a difference in this young family’s life means so much. We’re wishing Peyton all the strength for the road ahead. His family now knows that they have a whole network of Angels behind them, people they know and people they may never meet, who genuinely care.”
The funds raised will assist the Wahl family with ongoing medical bills, specialized burn care, and transportation expenses as Peyton continues his treatment.
For more information, visit www.jacarandafm.com.