Local to embark on long wheelchair ride
A wheelchair- bound Strand man has undertaken a five-week solo wheelchair charity ride to raise money for children with disabilities.
Robert Grace lost his leg due to a bone marrow sickness and has been wheelchair -bopund since 1997. He has lived in Strand for most of his life.
“There are many struggles that people like me have to go through, but for poorer people it can halt progress and deprive one of living a full life, and especially for children with disabilities,” Grace points out
“God had laid this on my heart and I feel it is my duty to help people like me as well as those in more dire situations.”
the 52-year-old decided a wheelchair ride would be an inspirational way of raising funds and, for the past few weeks, has been training and getting himself fit for the epic journey.
“I know it will be tough, but with God on my side I don`t even fear for my security,” he relates.
Grace`s campaign will start in Strand on Sunday 1 September and finish in Pretoria some time during October. The route he has chosen will take him from Strand to Port Elizabeth- a journey of more than 700 km that would usually take almost eight hours by car.
“I can ride about 45 to 50 km per day, and estimate that I will reach Port Elizabeth within 10 days or less,” he says.
Grace will rest in PE for a few days before hitting the road again, from PE to Durban and afterwards from Durban to Pretoria.
“I will take some supplies such as food, water and clothing for the journey,” he says. ” i hope to reach as many people as possible to raise awareness from my cause.
” A fund will be set up with Kingdom Light Church in Strand, where donations can be made, and through which the funds will be distributed to a charity”.
Details of the account that has been set up will be made available closer to the time of Grace`s departure.
He says anyone wishing to contribute for now can contact the church directly. Grace himself does not own a cellphone. Members of the church will see him off on 1 September, but for the rest of the journey he will be alone, he adds.
“It is a daunting thought to be alone on the highway and in a wheelchair,” he says. “But I believe God is with me, and it will all work out fine in the end.”
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