By: Lindokuhle Ndaba

Durban High School’s Grade 11 and former DPHS learner, Gareth Simpson, (16) was recently awarded a trophy for sharing the 2014 National LeadSA Youth Award for local heroes under the age of 21.

Gareth, along with two other Cape Town regional nominees, will each take home ashare of the prize money, valued at R125 000, sponsored by Dis-Chem to donate to a charity of their choice.

Gareth was originally nominated for this award due to his commitment to his initiative, “Rugby Recycled,” which has been running for four years and sees him collect and restore rugby related kit and equipment for underprivileged or developmental teams.

“My school was the first to support the initiative which made so much difference and we started to receive piles of clothes and equipment which I cleaned and fixed to give out to boys who needed them,” he said.

Stefan Terblanche, who is the Chief Executive at SA Rugby Legends, has now offered his support to Gareth’s initiative. Both the Sharks franchise and SA Rugby Legends will help Gareth take Rugby Recycled national.

As a passionate rugby player and current DHS 1st XV scrumhalf, whose aim is to play for his province and eventually his country, Gareth, says that he is happy that half of the prize money, R62 500, will go towards helping less fortunate young rugby players. He believes that thinking of others less fortunate than himself goes hand-in-hand with his own ambitions.