We did it!
Di for Wheels for Helene raised £10,593 from 232 supporters
or
Start your own crowdfunding page
Closed 20/06/2017
Iʼve raised £10,593 to get Helene Dyson, GB's 1st Paralympic Gold medal-winning woman rower, a Segway wheelchair, her independence, confidence & vavavoom
- UK
- Funded on Tuesday, 20th June 2017
Don't have time to donate right now?
Story
Helene Dyson (nee Raynsford) won GB's 1st women's rowing Paralympic GOLD, & BBC South Sportswoman of Year twice.
At Uni aged 21 an injury left her in a wheelchair. So she took up wheelchair basketball & was part of 2003-2006 GB squad winning 2 Paralympic Cup silvers.
In 2005 Helene tried rowing. She was a natural & BR Champion! She competed in 2006 World Rowing Champs in arms only women's single sculls (1x). In 2008 rowing was introduced to the Paralympic Games in Beijing. Helene won GOLD in ASW1x with 12 seconds over the silver medallist. Helene fought back from cardiac problems to qualify to race at World Champs 2010 in NZ but back injury meant no final for her. Helene was a Games-Maker at London 2012.
In 2013 Helene was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has kicked cancer but has suffered more ill health since then with surgery in 2017 on her spine. She may not regain all lost function but should stop deteriorating.
Helene is desperate to stay involved in sport - she volunteers & sits on various boards alongside IPC, IOC & other IF Presidents. This chair will allow her to get out & about in UK supporting our sport too.
A Segway wheelchair will give Helene independence again - it folds down small enough to fit in the boot of a family car, it can be used indoors, in shops & public loos, it has off-road wheels so she can take her DogAID assistance dog, Amber, on long muddy walks.
They're expensive. But what price independence?
As an elite athlete Helene deserves a chair with a profile emphasising ability not disability. It's her dream chair. More than that, she needs it.
I promised her (rashly) we'd get her a chair by Henley Royal Regatta (1 July 2017). The appeal launched on Good Friday in April.
Together WE HAVE DONE IT! Thank you so much everyone who donated, shared, & supported here, by auction & offline. This is a huge boost to Helene & she is anxious to pay it forwards. Look out for Helene, Amber & their new wheels.
Updates
17
- 7 years ago
Di for Wheels for Helene
7 years agoShare this update to help us raise more
- 7 years ago
Di for Wheels for Helene
7 years agoTHANK YOU! We have done it! We have placed an order for a Ninebot Nino Segway (not the original plan but an even better match for Helene and available for delivery by end June in time for Henley Royal! You are all amazing. Full message on my FB page or RtB FB page.
Share this update to help us raise more
- 7 years ago
Di for Wheels for Helene
7 years agowe're so very nearly there with the funds - just need to get an order confirmed and a delivery date before we send them the £10,000 deposit! in the meantime we have purchased a PowerBreathe for Helene to help her retrain her respiration - thank you all.
Share this update to help us raise more
- 8 years ago
Di for Wheels for Helene
8 years agoReminder : the Wheels for Helene auction ends at 11.59pm on 31 May. We have been bowled over by the generous gifts donated and by the generous bids on those gifts. Thank you. https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/wheelsforhelene
Share this update to help us raise more
Di for Wheels for Helene started crowdfunding
Leave a message of support
Supporters
232
Laura Garrod
Jun 19, 2017
Can't wait to see you speeding about!!!
£20.00
Jennifer Platt
Jun 15, 2017
Xxx
Louisa Wright-Wastell
Jun 15, 2017
Incredible lady, I do hope she hits target and gets the Genny Segway soon as I know she will use it just as much to give her own time to help and support others x
£20.00
John Bowdery
Jun 9, 2017
£200.00
Carol
Jun 5, 2017
Yes!
S Swift
Jun 2, 2017
£30.00
Judy Gibson
Jun 1, 2017
Delighted to be successful in the great online auction for the limited edition print of the Henley course which Jack will enjoy. It came in a bit below my top bid so donating the balance
£30.00
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a new type of fundraising where you can raise funds for your own personal cause, even if you're not a registered nonprofit.
The page owner is responsible for the distribution of funds raised.
Great people make things happen
Do you know anyone in need or maybe want to help a local community cause?
Create you own page and donʼt let that cause go unfunded!
About CrowdfundingAbout the fundraiser
Di for Wheels for Helene
UK
I'm just a friend & supporter of Helene's who has a lot of rowing contacts and I believe strongly that if we pull together we can make a difference to someone who has made a difference to our sport!