This weekend will mark the first 24 hour Achilles Hope & Possibility Hand Cycling Relay taking place at the People’s Park at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday morning starting at 10am.
The event, which is the first of its kind in South Africa, has been set up to help the Ethembeni School and the Achilles South Africa organisation.
Achilles has been set up in South Africa to help people with various disabilities to take part in mainstream events, while also helping with the provision of hand cycles, running shoes and wheelchairs for disabled athletes.
For the Ethembeni school the event is going to become a crucial fund raiser to enable them to purchase text books and other essentials for their students.
Fronting the project is former Cell C Sharks flyer Cedric Mkhize. Mkhize was involved in a car accident that left him paralysed from the waist down but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a passionate hand cyclist and advocate for disabled sport.
“I have only recently come in contact with Gordon (Reid) and when he asked me to get involved I couldn’t say no,” said Mkhize. “I have been interested in doing something like this but it was always a case of connecting with the right people and Gordon is that person.
“When I was approached I immediately jumped on the bandwagon and it is the perfect opportunity for me to give back to the people that need it the most.”
Playing the role of an ambassador is something that Mkhize is happy to do as Reid and his team aim to take the Achilles Hope & Possibility Hand Cycling Relay nationwide.
“It’s definitely a role that I would be happy to take on and given my background and portfolio I think that it could be a positive for the event as well.
“I don’t think that anyone in their right mind would turn down an opportunity to be involved in an event like this and to be involved from the first edition is exciting.
“We just want to make sure we are giving back to the disabled community and that is exciting because I always feel that we can do more,” he added.
Reid has been involved in fundraising for many years and has raised millions of rands for CHOC through The Cows. This event, if supported correctly, could grow into something big as well.
“It’s such a unique concept and I think that it definitely has the potential to go countrywide and that would be incredible to see.
“If it became a national event it would go a long way in spreading the word about disabled sports people.
“I hope that we see lots of people at the event because it’s a terrific cause and it’s going to be a lot of fun for all involved!” he added.
For more info contact info@achilleshopeandpossibility.org or phone or email Gordon Reid (082 921 2005 |gordon@connectivdigital.co.za)
