• The coronavirus pandemic has hit people hard the world over. As many struggle to make ends meet, others are spurred to action. This rickshaw driver decided to do what he could to help those in need.

    Akshay Kothawale from Pune, India, saved 200 000 rupees (R48 764) for his marriage. However, the nuptials were cancelled amid the pandemic. Instead of doing nothing, Kothawale decided to put that money to good use by feeding migrant labourers and those in distress in his area. Together with his friends, Kothawale feeds about 400 people per day.

    Not only that, Kothawale is also helping senior citizens and pregnant women by offering them free rides to clinics in his vehicle, and is also going around the city to create awareness on the virus and how to protect yourself from it.

    Kothawale explains that it was difficult to see so many people suffer, and wanted to lend a helping hand.

    “I saw several people on roads who could not even afford to have one meal and were struggling to survive. I and some of my friends then thought of doing something to help the daily wagers and needy people,” he said. “I decided to use my savings for the cause and some of my friends also chipped in,” said Kothawale.

    “Using my auto-rickshaw, we distribute one-time meal among people at Maldhakka Chowk near the railway station, Sangamwadi and Yerawada areas.”

    The group plan to continue this feeding scheme until May 31, as their funds are lessening.

    Feature image: Unsplash

     

    From terrible tragedy, this couple found love. One of the most terrifying mass shootings in the US became a turning point for Austin Monfort and Chantal Melanson.

    Austin Monfort and Chantal Melanson first met at a Las Vegas country bar in September 2017. Monfort made enough of an impression on Melanson that she invited him to hang out with her at the Route 91 Harvest music festival outside the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Vegas.

    It was at this festival that gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire on 22 000 unsuspecting partygoers. The Las Vegas mass shooting has since become the deadliest of its kind in modern US history. 58 people were killed and more than 850 injured.

    Monfort instinctively felt the need to protect Melanson when the gunfire began.

    “I felt a sense of responsibility for Chantal,” he told People. “She was with me and not her friends. I felt like not only did I have to get myself out, but also her. Keeping her calm and getting her out kept me calm, and didn’t allow me to panic.” He helped guide her to safety, much to Melanson’s appreciation.

    “I remember laying on the ground just looking into Austin’s eyes, trying to make sense of everything,” she said. “Next thing I knew, Austin was holding my hand and we were running through the entire grounds trying to make it to safety.”

    “I felt safe with him — I didn’t want to leave his side,” Melanson said. “In many ways, he did save my life.”

    This tragic, frightening night bonded the two together. They stayed in contact over the following months, eventually falling in love. They became engaged in March 2019, and have since married at a San Diego, California, courthouse.

    Their traditional ceremony was planned for May 8 of this year in Vegas. However, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the pair have postponed their big nuptials.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CADb-gtgKYX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Feature image: Instagram / Tragedy to love

    Sebastian Cina and Jaclyn Hockenjos have had to postpone the day they’ve been planning for months, like many other couples across the world.

    The two were supposed to say ‘I do’ tomorrow, May 16 in New Jersey. Instead of grumbling about the misfortune, this power couple instead launched a fundraising campaign called #WithThisRingYoullBeFed and are inviting friends, family and supporters to make donations. The campaign is partnered with a local food bank and will feed families in need.

    “We were devastated when we found out we had to postpone our wedding,” said Jaclyn, a first-grade teacher. “Then we thought about it and realized we could use it as a platform to help people in our community, and that’s exactly what we intend on doing.”

    More than that, they have even encouraged other couples who postponed their weddings to start their own campaigns.

    If you would like to donate, click here: https://bit.ly/2YXs1OK
    Join The Movement & Learn More: https://bit.ly/3boYwrV

    Image: WithThisRingYoullBeFed

    Wearing white may be tradition, but it’s not a rule. Over the decades, many celebrity brides have decided against the expected, instead donning colourful gowns that truly made a statement.

    From blush pinks to marigold yellow and even vivid purple, these famous brides have laid a serious case for colourful wedding dresses. Here are some celebrity brides that didn’t wear white on their wedding days

    Elizabeth Taylor:

    Screen icon Elizabeth Taylor went for bold colour for many of her eight weddings. She wore emerald green for her 1959 wedding to Eddie Fisher, yellow for her 1964 wedding to Richard Burton and a rainbow gown to wed Burton again in 1975.

    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest

    Also read: Always a bride: Elizabeth Taylor

    Keira Knightley:

    Not only did she wear a colour-tinted dress, actress Kiera Knightley chose a knee-length dress she already owned. She paired her pale-pink Chanel minidress with sunglasses and a cardigan for her big day, and has since reworn the dress on the red carpet.

    Credit: Pinterest
    Kaley Cuoco:

    The Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco married former professional tennis player Ryan Sweeting in 2014 wearing a bright pink custom Vera Wang gown.

    Mandy Moore:

    Mandy Moore wed musician Taylor Goldsmith in a lacy, tiered pink gown by Rodarte that perfectly complimented her pink wedding colour scheme.

    Credit: Pinterest
    Julianne Moore:

    Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore went against tradition for her big day in 2003. Instead of white, she donned a lilac Prada dress featuring a deep v-neckline to marry director Bart Freundlich, who matched witha purple tie and striped shirt.

    Credit: Pinterest
    Sarah Jessica Parker:

    The Sex and the City star went polar opposite tradition, opting for a black gown she purchased off-the-rack to say I do to Matthew Broderick back in 1997.

    Credit: Pinterest
    Kristen Bell:

    Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard tied the knot at a courthouse back in 2013. For their big day, Bell wore a simple black dress.

    Credit: Instagram / Kristen Bell
    Anne Hathaway:

    Anne Hathawy looked every inch of a princess on her big day. In 2012, she married actor and producer Adam Shulman in a custom-made pink Valentino gown that she accessorised with a beautiful Flapper-inspired headpiece.

    Gwen Stefani:

    ‘Hollaback Girl’ Gwen Stefani had the best of both world’s for her wedding dress. When she married musician Gavin Rossdale in 2002, she did so in a pink dip-dyed gown by John Galliano for Christian Dior.

    Credit: Pinterest
    Dita von Teese:

    Living up to their unconventional relationship, burlesque performer Dita von Teese donned a Victorian-inspired violet gown custom designed by Vivienne Westwood when she married metal performer Marilyn Manson.

    Credit: Pinterest
    Jessica Biel:

    Jessic Biel wore a stunning cotton-candy pink couture Giambatista Valli gown to marry longtime love Justin Timberlake. The custom stapless dress featured layers of delicate tulle.

    Credit: Pinterest
    Amber Tamblyn:

    Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants actress Amber Tamblyn went bright for her wedding dress. She opted for a marigold-yellow gown to say ‘I do’ to actor David Cross in a low-key ceremony back in 2012.

    Credit: Instagram / Questlove
    Shenae Grimes:

    90210 actress Shenae Grimes went for black dress from Vera Wang’s Fall 2012 bridal line to marry musician Josh Beech in 2013.

    Credit: Pinterest

    Feature image: Instagram / Kristen Bell