CEO wheelchair campaign launched

The sixth annual CEO Wheelchair Campaign rolled to a start when Little Eden Society and stakeholders came together at the society’s Edenvale property earlier this month. Rolling into action on March 1, the campaign aims to raise awareness and generate compassion for people with physical disabilities.Public relations officer Gaahele Mokgoro said this includes residents of the society. Of the 300 residents, 64% use wheelchairs for their daily mobility needs and live with profound intellectual disabilities.This year the campaign hopes to raise R1.5m by March 31 for the care of Little Eden’s residents.It hopes to recruit CEOs to sign up and spend a day at work or home office in a wheelchair during March and make a financial donation. ALSO READ: New initiative launched to wage war against drug addiction Large companies are encouraged to donate R55 000 while SMEs are asked to donate R35 000. Statistics from the previous three years are as follows: • 2020: 12 CEOs participated and R474 000 was raised. • 2021: 15 CEOs participated and R605 461 was raised. • 2022: 15 CEOs participated and R830 000 was raised. This year the society’s very own CEO Xelda Rohrbeck was challenged to spend a day in a wheelchair.Xelda was joined by the society’s ambassador and South African Paralympic rower Sandra Khumalo as well as Leon de Beer, deputy director of the SA Federation of Mental Health.At this year’s launch, it was fun and games when visitors and residents from the society’s Bapsfontein home engaged in a timed obstacle race. The residents who made use of motorised wheelchairs, which were donated by a hospital won all of the races. In total seven motorised wheelchairs were donated to the society, and five residents have learned how to use them. Visit Little Eden’s website for more information.