Fitbit mums step up for cerebral palsy
Leah Swailes has a gadget on her hand which is helping her step up for a good cause.
The Papakura resident, who started the group New Zealand Bit Fit Mums, is raising money for people with cerebral palsy through the Steptember campaign.
She and 12 other mums from the group are taking part in the month-long fundraiser which sees hundreds of people committing to 10,000 steps a day for the cause.
Swailes started Bit Fit Mums in May and now has over 200 members who have joined through her Facebook page.
The group promotes activities and exercise through the use of the wrist-worn Fitbit device that measures the number of steps, distance and calories burned each day.
Money raised is also helping Christchurch Bit Fit Mums member Mel King and her seven-yearold son Jayden who has cerebral palsy.
When Jayden was born at 33 weeks he wasn’t breathing and needed seven minutes of resuscitation.
He spent the next seven weeks in a neonatal intensive care unit fighting for his life.
Jayden ‘‘battled on’’ and spent the next few years of his life attending weekly therapy sessions. After starting school in 2014 his communication skills have ‘‘taken off’’.
‘‘He can easily tell his teachers whether he likes or dislikes certain activities,’’ King says.
Money raised, which goes to the Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand, is going to help parents and caregivers with better access to equipment, resources and therapy technology.
Having access to the right equipment for Jayden is ‘‘quite often a real struggle’’, she says.
King joined Bit Fit Mums when it started this year and although many members haven’t met in person they are all lending their support, she says.
‘‘It absolutely touches me that these people I don’t know have really got on board with something so close to home for me.
‘‘They’re all amazing and stepping up to help.’’
Swailes says the Steptember campaign was a perfect charity for the group to support and have already raised hundreds of dollars.
‘‘It’s fantastic and shows great community support.’’
Go to steptember.org.nz for more information.