Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre Host its Second Wheelchair Challenge | Western Cape Government

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Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre Host its Second Wheelchair Challenge

7 November 2010

The Department of Health, Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre (WCRC), Eskom and the QuadPara Association of the Western Cape (QAWC) joined forces to host the second Wheelchair Challenge on Saturday, 6 November 2010. The Wheelchair Challenge took place at the WCRC site, as well as the perimeter road of the Lentegeur Hospital.

The main objectives of the event were to market the WCRC and to raise funds for the facility and the board. It also: created an opportunity for everyone, disabled and non-disabled to have fun; enabled participation in a sporting event for persons with disabilities; introduced persons with disabilities to a wider range of assistive devices; and raised awareness regarding disability.

As the local community still regard the WCRC as a Rehabilitation Centre for substance abusers, the wheelchair race highlighted the core function and clientele of the WCRC. It also introduced the WCRC to a wider range of clients, as the race attracted wheelchair users from across the Province.

Prizes and medals were awarded to the male and female winners, 2nd and 3rd place winners of the following categories:

  • Quad Hand Cycle Male twenty-two kilometres (22 km)
  • Para hand Cycle Male twenty-two kilometres (22 km)
  • Racing Chair Male twenty-two kilometres (22 km)
  • Quad Hand Cycle Male six kilometres (6 km)
  • Para Standard Chairs Male six kilometres (6 km)
  • Para Standard Chairs Female six kilometres (6 km)
  • All-comers twenty-two point one kilometres (22,1 km)
  • All-comers six point four kilometres (6,4 km)

There were approximately one hundred and nineteen (119) entrants in the various race categories of which Mr Stuart Mc Creadie won first (1st) place in the twenty-two kilometre (22km) Para Hand Cycle. He completed eleven (11) laps in thirty (30 min) minutes, eighteen (18 sec) seconds (00.30.18) at an average of thirty-five kilometres (35 km/h) per hour.

Twelve (12) teams, at a total of fifty-two (52) participants, competed in the Inter-corporate race and was won by Motivation Afrika. They consisted of Eskom, Motivation Afrika, African Bank, Chris Burger Petro Jacksen Players Fund, Mpilisweini Consortium, Helios Security and Ikapa Caterers.

Race participators and spectators were entertained by Mitchells Plains DJ Deen Louw and MC Benito Vergotine. Other entertainment comprised of Ansa Theron, Sistahood and the Tasmashii Oaiko Japanese Drumming School.

 

The WCRC Facility Board has funded clients to participate in the Hermanus Wheelchair Race and the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge, during which the WCRC clients won several medals.

Encouraging participation in sport activities is one aspect of the re-integration of clients into society, as well as contributing to the individuals overall sense of well-being. The latter forms an integral part of the services of the WCRC.

Issued by:
Directorate Communications
Western Cape Department of Health

Media Enquiries: 

Ethne Julius
Cell: 083 237 1303