KAROO NEWS - A group of 15 wheelchair-bound adults travelled to George on 15 February to take part in the Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC), one of the top events in the country for disabled athletes.

The OCC started in 2002 with only 27 participants, but with added awareness and publicity every year it has now grown to over 1 300 entrants. 

A mixture of elite athletes in racing wheelchairs, hand cycles, basketball chairs and ordinary wheelchairs took to the streets of George.

The Asherville group did not aim for any medals, but were just happy to be part of the event. The seven women and six of the eight men entered the 5km race, and were each given a helping pair of hands in the form of a local volunteer to push, aiding their own efforts.

"I think my time was about an hour, but what was important was just being there and taking part," said Juanita Holland. Two of the men were brave enough to take on the 10km race, and completed the course with the help of the volunteers.

The OCC pays for athletes' transport to George, but they need to arrange their own sponsorship for accommodation and food. Each athlete also had to pay a small amount for incidental expenses, and unfortunately there were some members of the Asherville association who could not afford to go.

"We would love to get more sponsorship so that more of our members can join us," said Holland. "To meet other people with disabilities is very exciting because they do not sit back with pity but lift themselves up to prove that they are also worth it."

The athletes thanked Montego, Pick n Pay, Gold Rush, Moses Bush and Graaff-Reinet Lions for their financial support.

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