Wynne for Lewis
The 2012 ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun presented by New Balance promises to be an emotional three days of racing for Carien Helberg of Somerset West. After learning about the plight of five year old Lewis Wynne, who lost both his lower legs in a freak accident, Helberg is determined to use her event participation as a means of raising funds for the “Wynne for Lewis” campaign, of which she is the founder.
According to Helberg her goal going into 2012 was to run for a purpose. “In October last year I saw an ETV news report that covered the story about Lewis Wynne who had both his legs amputated as a result of a tree falling through his Grade R classroom. Not only did he lose his legs, but his dream of becoming a Policeman and serving the community of Alexandra (Johannesburg), was also shattered. I also have a very active 6 year old boy, and I watch him run, climb and jump, things that boys of that age do. When I heard Lewis’s question to his mother as to when he would be able to run again, my heart was torn to pieces, because I realised this was not going to happen, not the way he could in the past”, says Helberg who is aspiring to run a minimum of 600 kilometres in the hope of raising e enough funds by either donations, and or sponsorships to give Lewis artificial legs.
“I am in the process of setting up a Trust Fund for the campaign”, continues Helberg. “Thanks to Eugene Makhene and the Assault Riderz Bikers club, Lewis received a wheelchair, which has given him some mobility. The factory turned house that he and his family live in however, is not wheelchair friendly and most of the time Lewis has to be carried around. Lewis has now also been accepted at Hope School, Parklands (a school specializing in his needs). Lewis will be a weekly border here. Europcar, who transported Lewis home after he was discharged from hospital, has undertaken to sponsor his first pair of legs. The reality however, is that Lewis will need a few pairs of legs as he grows older. The picture gets bigger as Lewis will also need rehabilitation, teaching him to walk again, he is in need of trauma counselling to help him deal with the accident and his home environment is not handicap friendly. It is my dream, that I will be able to raise enough money to continue to sustain the fund to help Lewis in the future as well”.
Helberg will be seen in action at the ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun in Kleinmond (approximately 95km) the weekend of 16 – 18 March 2012.
The ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun presented by New Balance is a team event. Teams of two (male/female/mixed) will be seen battling it out on a route varying in distance between 25-35km each day. The three routes have been planned in such a way that the participants will have the opportunity to tackle a different breathtaking scenic route each day, allowing them to enjoy the full diversity of the world-renowned Kogelberg Biosphere. This awe-inspiring trail run stage race will follow a cloverleaf format, which means that runners will finish in Kleinmond on each of the three days. Their accommodation, meals and entertainment will remain in the same place for the duration of the race.
DATE: 16, 17 and 18 March 2012
FORMAT: Three-day stage race / teams of two (male/female/mixed)
VENUE: Starting & ending in and around Kleinmond (Western Day) each day
DISTANCE: Day 1: approximately 35km
Day 2: approximately 35km
Day 3: approximately 25km
Speak Your Mind