It is time for the Association for Persons with Disability (APD) Limpopo’s annual Wheelchair Wednesday campaign during which awareness is created of the difficulties wheelchair bound people experience daily, as well as funds being raised to buy needy persons wheelchairs. The campaign, run under the theme ‘Change a life – spend four hours in a wheelchair’ was launched in Polokwane last Wednesday with the loyal support of Mall of the North (MoN).
MoN Marketing Manager Mari Delport pledged their support. “Wheelchair Wednesday is an initiative that is very close to our heart and has been for some years. I would like to encourage all companies and other organisations to participate,” she said.
Companies and other organisations have the chance to enter employees into the Wheelchair Wednesday challenge at
R6 000 per entry. Other sponsor options are also available on enquiry. The sponsorships will go towards purchasing a custom-fitted wheelchair for a needy person. The entrants will have the opportunity to spend part of a day in a wheelchair and complete various tasks such as drawing money at an automatic teller, navigating from one floor to another, shopping for specific items or using the restrooms at MoN with the aim of learning the difficulties of being wheelchair bound and in so doing creating awareness.
Participants will compete in the big challenge on 25 July. For further information or to participate contact Margaret Malatji or Christa van der Walt on 015 291 1787/8 or send an e-mail to awareness @apdlimpopo.co.za or apdnprov@mweb.co.za.
Story and photo: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za
