Print

Text

The numbers are still rolling in, but at least $30,000 was raised for St. John's Rehab Hospital during the ninth annual Achilles Canada five-kilometre run/walk March 16. | The morning event started downtown at the Steam Whistle Brewing, 255 Bremner Blvd., and more than 70 participants came out in support of the Bayview and Cummer avenues hospital. | "It went really good," said St. John's spokesperson Marcus Staviss. "We raised about $30,000. Different organizations submitted teams and we had the largest team of 70 people." | Staviss said the money raised will be used to purchase equipment for the hospital's amputee program and for quality work life initiatives for staff, such as education and support staff teaching. | "This isn't the first year we've participated in the Achilles Canada run but it's the most successful year for us," he said. "In the past we've raised a couple hundred dollars." | Achilles Canada is a non-profit organization, which encourages people with disabilities to participate in running. The club provides support, training and technical expertise to runners at all levels. | People with disabilities such as visual, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, arthritis, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, amputation, cystic fibrosis, or those who suffer from stroke, cancer and traumatic head injury can participate in Achilles Canada events. | Runners participate with crutches, in wheelchairs, on prostheses and without aids. | | SIDEBAR | Goals and objectives of Achilles Canada: | * Establish training programs for the disabled including organizing weekly running activities, long-distance wheelchair workouts and individual coaching. | * Encourage and provide assistance to disabled athletes to participate in running events including marathons organized by the Achilles Track Club of Canada or other affiliated Achilles Track Club chapters. | * Encourage and provide an opportunity for the non-disabled athletes and disabled athletes to participate in a run together. | * Establish and maintain a worldwide network of chapters that together, encourage and assist members of Achilles Track Club to participate in mainstream running events such at the annual New York City Marathon, the St. Patrick's five-kilometre Run and the Canadian International Marathon. | * Develop training and running programs that are suitable for the needs of disabled children, adults and seniors.