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To launch national Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, eight high profile Australians dueled in wheelchairs raising awareness of the day to day challenges faced by those with spinal cord injuries. Each of the participants had to undertake a range of activities whilst in a wheelchair including buying a coffee, going through a door, boarding a bus and using an ATM. The participant who completed the tasks in the shortest time was declared the winner.
Taking out first place against other high profile Australians (including distance swimming champion Grant Hackett, WSFM’s Jonesy and Amanda and comedian Julia Morris) was singer Jenny Morris who dedicated her win to her two sisters in law – both who have disabilities.
‘I know the trials and tribulations that my sisters in law face each day and I thank ParaQuad for putting on this event on their behalf,’ said Jenny in her acceptance speech.
While most spectators had their money on Grant Hackett to take out first place, the swimmer admitted he struggled with his centre of gravity being out of balance. Coming in in fourth place, Hackett nearly toppled his wheelchair in the bus component.
‘It was harder than I expected,’ said Grant. ‘Weighing more than one hundred kilograms, my centre of gravity was completely out of balance. I’m certainly better off in the pool – gravity’s definitely not my friend!’
‘Wheels for a Day is a fantastic and light hearted opportunity to highlight the challenges that face wheelchair users, especially in the workplace and with public transport,’ says Wendy Potter, Chairman, ParaQuad NSW.
‘People take for granted simple tasks such as boarding a bus and opening a door, but for those of us in wheelchairs straightforward tasks can become quite onerous,’ continues Wendy.
| WHAT: |
ParaQuad NSW’s Wheels for a Day |
| WHEN: |
Monday 9 November, 2009
11.30am – 2.00pm |
| WHERE: |
Martin Place, Sydney |
| WHO: |
Grant Hackett (multiple Olympic gold medallist and one of the world’s greatest distance swimmers)
Julia Morris AKA Lady J-Mo (International comedian)
Jenny Morris (ARIA award winning Australian singer)
Jonesy and Amanda (media personalities on WSFM)
Ben Fordham (media personality on the Nine network)
Rob Coombe (CEO, BT Financial Group)
Geoff Lloyd (GM, Advice and Private Bank, Westpac)
Rino Matarazzo (GM Customer Service, RailCorp) |
ParaQuad NSW would like to thank the following organizations for their support of Wheels for a Day
For more information, or to enquire about participating at Wheels for a Day, please contact:
Aleks Duric
Fundraising and PR Manager
Phone: 02 8741 5627
Email: aleks.duric@paraquad.org.au
Sunita Menezes
Public Relations Officer
Phone: 02 8741 5669
Email: sunita.menezes@paraquad.org.au
Media enquiries please contact:
Jo Wallace
T: 02 9517 1710
M: 0407 201 394
E: jo@rubystarpr.com.au
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