“Sport should be accessible to everybody.”
That’s the sentiment from Novocastrian and Paralympian Christie Dawes, who is an ambassador for Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT’s latest initiative.
Throughout the month of October, Dawes, alongside the charity, is encouraging everyone to go “rolling” to raise funds for people with disabilities.
“Roll On October runs from the 1 to 31 October and we challenge you to roll as far as you can to raise money for wheelchair sports,” Dawes said.
“It doesn’t matter if you are on a bike, if you’re on skates, a unicycle, a wheelchair, a racing chair or a hand cycle the choice is yours just get involved and start rolling to raise money.”
She believes the initiative will allow more people to participate in sport.
“Cost is one of the biggest barriers for people living with disability,” she said.
“With my racing chair just the frame costs $4,000 and the wheels that I am using at the moment cost $12,000 and that’s not an everyday chair that also costs money.
“It really is so expensive, and a lot of the equipment is bespoke, it needs to be made to fit the user so it can be a big barrier.
“You might have all the will, determination and fitness in the world but, for example, if you can’t afford the $6,000 quad rugby chair to play to get you through to the next level then it makes life really hard and that’s not fair.”
Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT’s Sport Coordinator for Northern NSW Matthew Haines says they are grateful for any donations.
“Roll On October is our first major fundraising initiative in over a decade,” he said.
“It is vital to raise funds for our athletes and to create more opportunities for them to participate in sport.
“We’re really thrilled and grateful for all donations, we have currently raised over $55,000 which is amazing given that it is the first Roll On October.
“We’re really proud of how the community has embraced it, with over 10,000kms already rolled.
“The cost to compete or play in any kind of entry level wheelchair sport can be very expensive.
“The difference you’ll make in their lives by helping give them the opportunity to participate is unbelievable.”
Several Novocastrians have already taken on the challenge including Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
“I am going to give [Roll On October] a try but my choice of wheeled apparatus will be a bike because I think it’s probably a lot safer for me to be on a bike rather than a skateboard,” she said with a laugh.
Cr Nelmes adds she is very proud of the wheelchair sports community in the city.
“It’s wonderful, we have some of the best international athletes in wheelchair sports coming out of Newcastle, particularly in Christie Dawes and Kurt Fearnley and many others,” she said.
“I think we are very fortunate to not only have these athletes, but also wonderful coaches and it creates a great environment not just in showcasing all of the athletes’ super abilities, but it also means that we can become a hub and attract people that are at the peak of their careers to live here, work here and train here.”
Go to the Roll On October website to donate or for more information.
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