A Byranston High School learner has handed over two wheelchairs to two disabled swimmers thanks to the help of the Rotary Club.
Megan Hunt, a Grade 9 learner, and David Woodhouse, also a member of the Northcliff Rotary Club, handed over the donation of the two wheelchairs to Takudzwa Mutirikidi, known as TK, and David McKlopper.
The recipients of the new wheels have impressed their teachers and coaches with their swimming talents despite their physical challenges. Megan, who is also a swimmer, said that she has so much admiration for TK and David and what they have been able to achieve. “Every time they swim I feel inspired and motivated and get goosebumps when the whole grandstand stands up and applauds them…Their excitement was contagious and I was filled with a sense of joy seeing them happy.”
Megan got involved with the Rotary Club two years ago and has been working with David since then to help those in need. The wheelchair project is funded by generous donations from the Rushmoor Rotary Club, Physionet UK, Erlangen Rotary Club Germany and the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company.
The project so far has helped 37 000 people across the country gain access to a wheelchair. Through Megan’s work with the Rotary Club she has helped handover wheelchairs to the Queenshaven retirement home as well as the victim of a snakebite who lost both their legs.
Megan is determined to help others and has already begun working to ensure that others in need of a wheelchair are provided one.
“I like helping people who want to help themselves, like TK and David. It makes the exercise so much more impactful and rewarding.”
TK said, “I am very passionate about swimming and one day I hope to be a Paralympic swimmer just like my swimming coach Tadhg Slattery.”
Front: David McKlopper and Takudzwa Mutirikidi from the Hope School are excited to get fitted for their wheelchairs. Photo: Supplied
Through the donations of the wheelchairs, the Rotary Club hopes to make the young athletes lives a little easier and inspire them to achieve their dreams of competing in the Paralympic Games.
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