Virtual event raises funds for people with disabilities

 The 2021 edition of the SPAR Daily Dispatch Virtual Fun Run for Disability on Sunday aims to raise funds for people living with disabilities in the hope of helping to improve their living conditions. 

The entry fee of R60 per runner will go towards aiding the Canaan Care Centre, an organisation focused on supporting individuals with disabilities. 

With the race being virtual, participants will run a route of their choice and also get to choose the distance.

They will run from 6am until 2pm and submission of times should be made within that time frame.

Ayanda Langa, who is one of the ambassadors of the race, is thrilled to be part of the initiative.

“This will be my first time in this race,” Langa said.

“When I heard about it, I had to be involved. It was important to me because this race benefits people with disabilities. 

“People with living with disabilities need to get involved in sports.

“If you don’t exercise, your condition becomes more complicated, but if you train you end up not even feeling the disability. 

“The race is important for us living with disabilities; it helps us.

“The disabilities affect us to a point where we can’t do certain things.

“But if you gym, you’ll be able to be mobile. 

“Since people with disabilities are often not recognised, [if we get] involved in this race there are people who will acknowledge us and know we are involved with sports.”

Race organiser SPAR and the Daily Dispatch were praised by Amos Mzimeli, who runs an empowerment centre for disabled people. 

Mzimeli is part of the Local Heroes class of 2019 for his contribution to the empowerment and betterment of people with disabilities. 

“This event considers disabled people, and I’d like to thank Daily Dispatch and SPAR for their support.

“We know that people with disabilities are the most affected in society.

“When there are people who raise their hands to support people with disabilities, that makes us happy.

“We want to urge other stakeholders to follow in what the Daily Dispatch and SPAR have done.

“It shows us that there are people who consider people with disabilities because we need support. These people struggle in different ways. 

“Anyone who supports the event shows they are against the marginalisation of disabled people.

“People want to see change in the lives of disabled people.

“The fun run is an opportunity for our community to come out and have fun.”

Entries close at midnight on Saturday and runners can enter at https://www.zsports.co.za/sddfrd and for information they can email funrun@arena.africa or WhatsApp on 062-379-7674. 

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