She was grateful to receive a wheelchair and thanked TJ and the company for the donation.
“My new wheelchair is so much lighter, faster and convenient and I am really honoured,” says Sharon.
TJ, a copy writer from Johannesburg, recently walked from Johannesburg to Cape Town in 30 days to raise funds to purchase wheelchairs for people living with mobility impairments.
“I decided to embark on this epic walk after I was forced to use crutches for several weeks after tearing ligaments in my ankle while playing soccer,” he says.
During this time he realised just how difficult it must be for people with serious injuries to get around and he decided to make a change and do something about it.
He needed some support along the way and the company jumped at the chance to sponsor his walking gear, chocolate bars to fill him up and hampers that he distributed to the kind South Africans who assisted him with shelter or food along the way.
In addition, the chocolate company donated R15 000 to the Quadriplegics Association of South Africa (QASA) towards the purchase of wheelchairs.
“Seeing people’s reactions when I told them that I was walking from Joburg to Cape Town was always humorous,” says TJ.
Most people couldn’t believe it, and those who did thought that he was insane
“The journey was tough, but I was determined not to give up.
With the support of the company, the public and other sponsors the #30Days30Wheelchairs campaign has helped to raise R70 000 towards the purchase of wheelchairs.
Andrea Wright, from Category Lead for Chocolate, says it was with a happy heart that they donated these wheelchairs to QASA.
She says Lunch Bar chose to support TJ, as he truly exemplifies a real change maker.
“We have always been the chocolate bar that offers so much more and TJ represents the same philosophy – we are proud to be a part of his campaign,” she adds.
