Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!
From 10 - 20th October 2007 I will be in Ghana with a Wheels for the World team to distribute wheelchairs to people with severe mobility problems. This is the charity's third trip to Ghana and strong local contacts ensure that the equipment goes to those most in need. We are staying in Tema and will also hold clinics in Ada, Dodowa (Greater Accra) and a more rural setting - Somanya.
Currently I work as a physiotherapist at Lynwood Residential Centre in Sunninghill so dealing with wheelchairs and ensuring that residents are well positioned is part of my everyday job. It is work that I love and I feel privileged to be able to use some of my training and work experience in a Third World setting.
I first encountered Through the Roof and its subsidury Wheels for the World when I was trying to find someone who might be interested in some unwanted walking frames for the Third World. It is a Christian charity founded to support disabled people and its values are close to my heart.
They take in old wheelchairs and get them restored at UK prisons. The prisoners derive great satisfaction from this work, recognising that immobile people are in a sense prisoners too. The wheelchairs are sent ahead of the distribution team to various countries eg Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana. Usually there are 3 distributions a year.
Last Summer at New Wine - a Christian festival / conference in Shepton Mallet - I felt challenged to be more outward looking, to get out of my comfort zone and to start to trust God on a whole new level. A key speaker for me at New Wine was Simon Guillebaud who spoke about radical living. Simon works as an evangelist for Scripture Union in Burundi, one of the world's poorest countries. (To find out more, click on the burundi tag below.) That was my starting point.
Signing up for the team to Ghana is another step along the way - encouraged by the Holy Trinity Knaphill Bible Meditation Group that I belong to. Further encouragement comes from my wonderful husband Nick who supports this venture wholeheartedly.
I am paying my own costs to go with the team as I have the savings to do this and don't feel it's right that others should pay for that. However, if you would like to show your support financially by giving to Through the Roof / Wheels for the World (who have a constant need for funds - for example - to buy new parts for the wheelchairs) I would be so encouraged.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. Money raised will go directly to Through the Roof Charitable Trust and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to that gift at no cost to you.
So please sponsor me now! Any size of gift is welcome. I will be touched simply to know you're behind me.
Many thanks for your support. christinethefizz@onetel.com
