The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores. This brings the total investment of this CSI project to R9.5-million.

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA) is also a partner in this ongoing initiative. Their role is to identify children with the greatest need for a wheelchair through the assistance of their provincial offices around the country, giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren.

"It is a constant challenge to provide support for persons with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us, particularly during an economic downturn," said Johan Viljoen, National Director of the NCPPDSA. "These annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and, for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair, it is a wonderful gift," he said.

“To a child with physical disability, access to independent mobility not only takes the burden off the family or care-giver, but also gives new hope and confidence to the child. A wheelchair gives a child the means to attend school and the mobility to enjoy a whole range of new experiences,” said Viljoen.

"We are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters for the 12th year running,’ said Jan Potgieter, Managing Director of Game. ’We empathise at how difficult it is for those who are unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heart-warming to know that hundreds more schoolchildren are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their education as their non-disabled classmates."

Mthobi Tyamzashe, Chairman of the Vodacom Foundation, said: “Vodacom is delighted to once again be joining hands with Game in the handing over of the much-needed wheelchairs. Through this annual hand-over, we hope to help enable more recipients to enjoy unhindered mobility as they go about their normal day-to-day business.”

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child with special needs from the specifications provided by their therapists. This means they provide more support for the child than a standard wheelchair, giving them greater freedom of movement and helping prevent further deterioration in their posture. All are folding models and some have special features like elevating leg rests, adjustable back and arm rests, wide front castors and tray straps.

The conditions in which the children live are also taken into account by the manufacturers. This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven.

Game would like to thank all their partners who have made this initiative possible for the past 12 years. Thousands of children’s lives across the country have been changed for the better thanks to their efforts and dedication.