Tyrone challenges you to Step Up for Jumping Kids charity
Step Up 500 founder and KZN Sport's Personality of the Year, Tyrone Pillay appeals to the public to donate or take up the Step Up 500 Challenge to raise funds for Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund at the stadium next Saturday.
TYRONE Pillay will once again take the Step Up 500 challenge and face his fear of heights as he attempts to climb the 500 steps of the arch at Moses Mabhida Stadium with his prosthetic foot to raise funds for the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund next Saturday, 29 November.
The athlete who never lets his disability dictate his limits, only became a professional athlete six years ago and was recently named KZN’s Sportsman of the Year with a Disability and the KZN Sports Personality of the Year.
He is challenging everyone from all walks of life to do the same. “My challenge is to try and get as many people as possible to walk over the arch in a given time period.
“The aim is to raise R250 000 which will go to the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund. If 1500 people walk at a cost of R200 a person, we could reach our goal of R250 000.
“By challenging everyone to walk the stairs too we stand to raise more than our target,” he said.
Step Up 500 is an event driven and pioneered by Tyrone, a prosthetic user himself. Tyrone understands the implications of living with a prosthetic and the difference having quality equipment can make in the lives of those who require them.
“Step UP 500 has thus far raised R275 000 for Jumping Kids through previous events. The funds have been used to support six amputee children and partnered with The Open Air School in Glenwood to support amputee children at the school.
“The school was chosen because they have a group of amputee kids and a support team of physiotherapists who can monitor the children to make sure the solutions are effective,” said Pillay.
Michael Stevens operations manager at Jumping Kids, a Section 21 Trust that funds, manufactures and maintains lower limb prostheses for children, mainly from previously disadvantaged backgrounds said, “Funding is crucial to what we do because to make a quality prosthetic is an expensive exercise.”
“However, the benefits associated with having advanced technology prosthetic are priceless. They allow amputee kids to become active again and reassert themselves back into mainstream life.
“Essentially once the kids have the equipment their only limitation is themselves, just like everyone else,” explained Stevens.
All funds raised at the Step Up 500 Challenge will go towards maintaining the equipment of the six kids already fitted at Open Air School, as well as fitting additional kids at the school.
Jumping Kids has assessed a further three children at the school and will fit them once the funding becomes available. Individuals as well as small to medium businesses and large corporates companies can assist by sponsoring Tyrone per step.
“The fact that I know that I can make a difference to many people’s lives by showing that there are no obstacles in life and that you can overcome anything if you have the will to succeed is what inspires me. In life it’s not only about winning but the fact that you performed at your best that counts,” added Tyrone.
Contact Michael Stevens on 071 313 4719 and email: michael@jumpingkids.org.za or Tyrone Pillay on 083 352 4110 and email: tyrone.pillay@gmail.com for more information and to get involved.
