Stand with Stan aims to summit its mountains
FAIRLAND – Founder of Stand with Stan explains the new initiative the organisation is working on for the benefit of amputees.
After the experience of his journey to summit Kilimanjaro, Fairland resident and amputee Stan Andrews decided to become the difference between someone walking and having a normal life.
Based on the premise of wanting other amputees to be able to live life to the fullest, Andrews founded Stand with Stan in 2012, the name had previously been given to the website, which had tracked his climb up Kilimanjaro.
The organisation aims at providing quality prosthetics to less fortunate amputees. Andrews was born with a deformed right foot, which he admits is different from losing a limb, and he has always been on medical aid. Other individuals are not so lucky as prosthetics are expensive and government-issued prosthetics are not the best quality due to lack of resources.
“It is not only the poor, rural or unemployed that are affected but the average person without medical aid is also disadvantaged,” Andrews explained.
Together with Andrews’ own prosthetist, Marco du Plooy, Stand with Stan has been able to give 15 amputees quality prosthetics in Gauteng. However, Stand with Stan survives on fundraisers and donations to help these and more amputees, especially those on their waiting list.
Fundraising is a concern and therefore Andrews is initiating Project 1000. Simply, the organisation is wanting 1000 individuals or businesses to become a pledge partner and donate a minimum of R50 a month. This way, with approximately R50 000 a month solid income, Stand with Stan could help one amputee per month.
Besides this initiative, Andrews hopes to create a database and a platform for thousands of amputees to communicate and for it to be a resourceful tool to voice and discuss issues. “There is no resources for amputees. I am yet to meet an amputee that has refused to be part of the database,” Andrews added.
When the database is up and working, Andrews will be able to teach more individuals how to run on their new legs through running clinics.
Stand with Stan is very focussed on Project 1000 and the database at the moment but will still be present for donations at the Beast Challenge on 10 September, where Andrews will be on the course himself. Stand with Stan also needs sponsors for its Golf Day at Copperleaf Golf Estate in September and Andrews is looking for more riders to ride for Stand with Stan in the 947 Cycle Challenge, where Andrews hopes to race the event under three hours.
Details: Stand with Stan, info@standwithstan.co.za
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Northcliff Melville Times
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