On the 10th of February 2026 there is only a...
Read MoreWe are coming together as a community to support 6-year-old Daniël Heystek and his family during a difficult time.
Daniël sustained severe injuries that required emergency, life-saving surgery. He was stabilised by medical staff and underwent complex surgical intervention to protect his skull and prevent further complications. Thanks to the swift actions of healthcare professionals — and the extraordinary bravery of his brother, Rico — Daniël survived.
While the initial surgery saved his life, it marked only the beginning of a lengthy and ongoing medical journey.
On 26 December 2025, Daniël and his family experienced a life-changing event.
As they navigate the days ahead, we are standing alongside them — offering care, compassion, and practical support.
Every contribution, message, and shared moment of kindness helps lighten the load and reminds the family that they are not alone.
There are many heroes in Daniël’s journey to recovery. From the emergency nurse who stabilised him, to the plastic surgeon who travelled to assist rather than transferring Daniël, and the dedicated surgical and paediatric teams who continue to care for him — each played a vital role.
But the greatest hero that day was Rico, Daniël’s brother.
When the attack happened, Rico acted with incredible bravery. He did everything he could to protect Daniël and raised the alarm to get help as quickly as possible. His courage and determination made a critical difference in those moments.
Because of Rico’s actions, Daniël is here today.
Thank you, Rico, for being there when your brother needed you most.
After the dog attack, Daniël was taken to hospital where doctors assessed the extent of his injuries. It was determined that he had sustained severe injuries to his scalp, requiring urgent medical intervention. He was stabilised and prepared for surgery.
During surgery, damaged tissue was carefully removed, and the remaining scalp was gently repositioned as much as possible to protect his skull. As there was not enough healthy tissue to fully close the affected areas, skin was taken from his thigh to help cover and protect the wounds.
This procedure was life-saving.
However, Daniël’s recovery journey will be long. He will have areas of hair loss on his scalp that will require additional surgeries and ongoing medical care as he heals and grows.
if you would like to contribute, donations can be made to a designated trust account that has been set up to ensure all funds are managed responsibly and used solely for Daniel’s benefit.
You can also support the family by sharing this page and keeping them in your thoughts.
Donations can be made directly into a designated trust account created for Daniël.
This ensures that all funds are managed responsibly and used solely for his benefit.
Account Name: Aucamp & Sieberhagen Attorneys Trust
Bank: ABSA
Account Number: 40 8596 8827
Branch: 632005
Swift: ABSAZAJJ
You may also choose to donate via the BackaBuddy fundraising page, which offers a secure and convenient online option for contributions.
This fundraiser is built on love, community, and shared humanity.
We are deeply grateful for every act of kindness — whether big or small — and for standing together with Daniel and his family.
If you have any questions, would like more information, or wish to offer support in another way, please feel free to reach out. We are grateful for every message and every kind thought.
Thank you for standing with Daniel and his family.
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