Hanover Park’s little beauty queen Keegan Croy, aka Apple, has done it again - this time bagging an award for her outstanding community work.
The 11-year-old pageant queen scooped the Philanthropy category at the African Children of the Year awards, held at the Profound Conference Centre in Johannesburg at the weekend.
Keegan is currently Miss Pre-Teen South Africa 2018.
The inaugural awards is the brainchild of 11-year-old Stacey Fru, an award-winning child author, motivational speaker and BrandSA Ambassador.
Stacey became the youngest published author in Africa at the age of seven when she wrote her first book called Smelly Cats.
She created the awards to motivate other youngsters, and on Saturday handed over the prizes herself.
The ceremony is to become an annual event as it was hailed a success by parents.
Keegan, who was nominated by a fellow model, is a motivational speaker and this year was named a lifetime ambassador for the Jedi Tedi Campaign, which makes teddy bears for children and raises awareness about rare diseases.
CONGRATULATIONS: Apple receives her award
The non-profit organisation was created by the family of Jed Kagan, 12, of Cape Town who suffered from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a chronic pain disease.
Nelly Nyathi, an Ambassador for the Stacey Fru Foundation, says Keegan was selected because of her commitment to helping others.
“A request was made for nominees and a panel screened these profiles. We found that this little girl stood out and did the work.”
Keegan’s proud ouma, Daphne Croy, says the family is overwhelmed by her success but praised her for her philanthropy at such a young age.
She says Keegan has also offered her time to campaign for fundraising for children medically affected by gang violence.
“Because Apple is in the modelling industry, many people know her,” says Daphne.
“A fellow model from Stellenbosch nominated her. On Saturday when she won the Philanthropy section, I was blown away and in tears.
“I know her to be only that, a child who cares for her community and she is even part of the Soul Buddyz campaign at her school.
“Keegan also does motivational speaking and outreach programmes.”
Keegan is one of three Western Cape children who won in the category of Philantropy and Safety and Security.
Jemayne Andrews of Ministerial Outreach Projects says Keegan has become an inspiration to the youth: “She has also been vocal on several aspects that seriously affects our youth such as drugs, alcohol and teenage pregnancy.”