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Momentum’s Cuba Champions Complete Challenge
Not-for-profit organisation Momentum has just launched its second disability-friendly fundraising trek across Cuba following the success of this year’s event which raised more than £24,000.
The group of 12 travelled to the island’s capital Havana in March this year following a year of fundraising. Three of the participants were disabled people. Danielle Richardson, who sustained a head injury in a moped accident, volunteered after reading about the Challenge in the press and has since become a client at Momentum’s Pathways brain injury programme in Glasgow.
BT Project Manager Greg Small returned to his job with the help of Momentum’s job retention programme Get Back Plus, following a stroke. And Susan Toplis, who uses a wheelchair, was assisted by Stephen Kidd from the staff of Momentum’s Workability Service in Glasgow which provides vocational training for adults with learning disabilities. Five staff from Momentum’s brain injury services in Aberdeen and Glasgow also took part.
Now Momentum fundraiser Lindsey Spowage wants to hear from people who’d like to sign up for the next Champions’ Challenge, from October 22 to 30 2005.
Lindsey said: “Momentum’s dedication to championing the achievements of those who seek our services was the thinking behind the title Champions’ Challenge. The fact that our participants successfully raised their sponsorship and survived the rigours of trekking or cycling across Cuba also earns them the title of Champion!
“The two members of the public who joined us tell me that they learned a lot about coping with a disability and working in a team of widely varying abilities and experiences.”
The trek, which has two routes – one for cyclists and one for walkers – begins in Havana ends in Trinidad, on the south coast.
Lindsey added: “Fortunately Cuba is a very warm country, with amazing flora and fauna, and the Cuban guides were excellent. The cycle route took us through enjoyed many long, flat and through orange groves, tobacco plantations and paddy fields
“We learned a lot about making this challenge accessible for disabled participants and look forward to welcoming participants for 2005.”
Momentum was established in 1990 and has services in more than 25 locations across Scotland. Each year, Momentum assists 1500 disabled and excluded clients to identify and achieve their goals, equipping them with the tools they need to live independently, gain skills and qualifications and to move into employment. Clients come from a wide range of service areas including brain injury, spinal injury, mental health, physical disability, learning disability, employment, community rehabilitation and care.
Some clients will be looking for a job for the first time in their lives, while others may be trying to rebuild their lives following an accident or achieve their dream of living alone. Whatever their circumstances, Momentum’s programmes are individually tailored to meet their needs.
Anyone who is interested in finding out more about next year’s trek, should contact Lindsey at Momentum, e-mail lindsey.spowage@momentumscotland.org or telephone 0141 221 2333.
For further information about Momentum log on to www.momentumscotland.org or telephone 0141 221 2333.
ENDS
For further information please contact Lorna King at Momentum, telephone 0141 221 2333
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