Fundraising campaign gets Little Eden rolling
“It is a reality, being in a wheelchair is extremely difficult. That some of us do not understand.”
It was fun and games at Little Eden Society’s Edenvale home when community members, stakeholders and CEOs came together for the launch of the seventh annual CEO Wheelchair Campaign.
Set to run during March, which is Intellectual Disability Awareness Month, Little Eden hopes to raise R1.5m through the campaign.
Set against the theme ‘Ride a Mile in My Wheels’ the campaign started on the first day of the month and will end on March 31.
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The NPO will use funds raised to care for the 300 children and adults living with profound intellectual disabilities at the society’s two homes.
Ambassador for the campaign and South African Paralympian Sandra Khumalo was present at the event and ready to get guests excited and moving for the day’s activities.
Sandra led guests and residents of Little Eden in a TikTok dance while everyone was wheelchair-bound, bringing much laughter and smiles all around.
Soon after this, they held a series of races with the assistance of Special Olympics South Africa.
The races saw Little Eden residents, staff, CEOs and stakeholders compete against each other while completing a series of tasks such as throwing a beanbag through a hoop, hitting a ball off of a cone and carrying an egg on a spoon while moving their wheelchair.
Khumalo, who has been the ambassador for the campaign for five years, said it was great to see everyone having fun.
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She said she was feeling positive and good about the day.
Deputy chairperson of Little Eden’s governing board Thato Nkosi, who spent her first time in a wheelchair, said she was honoured to participate in the launch of the campaign.
Speaking about her first time in a wheelchair, Thato said her mood changed when she sat in the wheelchair.
“It is a reality, being in a wheelchair is extremely difficult. I had prepared myself to be dancing and moving around at the launch, but I found myself uncomfortable.”
She said the fact that she was struggling shows the reality of so many disabled people and residents of Little Eden.
With the campaign continuing through March, Thato encouraged as many businesses and CEOs to get involved.
CEOs can sign up and spend a day at work or home office in a wheelchair during March and make a financial donation of R55 000 for large companies or R35 000 for SMEs to Little Eden.
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Those unable to spend a workday in a wheelchair can support the campaign through a financial donation and advocacy.
CEOs are encouraged to challenge other CEOs to participate in the campaign.
Participants are invited to share their experiences and provide actions and or suggestions on what their organisation can do to be more inclusive of those relying on mobility devices and with profound intellectual disability.
Contact development officer Nadine Mason at nm@littleeden.org.za to get involved.https://youtu.be/DdHYnSGb4vo
