U of G Helps Raise $18,000 at Wheels in Motion
June 11, 2008 - News Release
The University of Guelph community helped raised more than $18,000 to provide recreational and fitness opportunities for people with spinal cord injuries during the fifth annual Wheels in Motion.
The annual national fundraiser was held on campus Sunday, attracting nearly 200 participants and volunteers.
"It was a wonderful event and the volunteers were awesome," said Barry Wheeler of U of G's Centre for Students with Disabilities, one of the event organizers.
Most of the money raised at this year’s event will stay in Guelph and be used to buy wheelchair-accessible fitness equipment for the city’s Victoria Road Recreation Centre. Proceeds will also support the purchase of a height-adjustable medical examination table for U of G’s Student Health Services. The remaining funds will go support national research efforts.
As part of Wheels in Motion, people obtain pledges individually or as part of a team and then wheel, bike, skate, run or walk a 2.5-kilometre course. There is also a team relay challenge, where people complete daily tasks from a wheelchair.
U of G president Alastair Summerlee, who also served as the event’s honorary chair, participated in the event in a wheelchair. He and other members of the University's administration also spent time in wheelchairs prior to the event to raise awareness.
The annual fundraiser was initiated by Rick Hansen, the Canadian Olympic wheelchair marathon champion who wheeled 40,000 kilometres to raise money and awareness for spinal cord research.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or l.hunt@exec.uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982 or d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
