EL nippers raise funds for beach wheelchair
The East London Surf Lifesaving club’s nippers have partnered with Edusport and Sports For Lives to raise funds for a public beach wheelchair to be available for use at Nahoon Beach.
The aim is to create a way for anyone with a mobility impairment to be able to enjoy the beach, including wheelchair users and the elderly.
Karen Mostert, Sean Kristafor and Wayne Gallow launched the project in November last year in the hope of generating funds to pay for the purchase and delivery of the wheelchair, signage and a small official opening.
The team has so far raised R39,250 of the R60,000 goal.
Kevin Stuart, one of the nippers coaches, said: “We are all very excited to be a part of the project and raise money for the wheelchair.
“It is great for the young ones to be a part of something bigger than just surfing, this is their way of giving back.
“They will be taking part in a competition at the end of the month and we will then hand the money that we made over to the Wheelchairs For Lives project,” said Stuart.
The nippers will be competing at the Eastern Cape Surf Lifesaving Championships on February 24 and 25 in Jeffreys Bay, where they also aim to raise money to go towards the purchase of the wheelchair. Mostert said: “There are huge benefits to a disabled person being able to access water, to be able to swim, or to just experience the freedom of movement.”
She said taking a disabled person into the water required a lot of training and preparation because of the risks involved.
Anyone wanting to donate towards the initiative can do so through Sports for Lives under Beach Wheelchairs For Lives.