THE Western Disabled People’s Association held a four-kilometre “walk and wheel” event yesterday to raise funds for the Western Disability Centre and its more than 200 members.
The wheelathon saw association members, supported by volunteers from the Fiji Red Cross Society Lautoka branch, travel from allocated locations toward Navutu.
Association president Eloni Tuisabeto said the funds were typically dedicated to tangible needs such as accessible transport, specialised equipment, or facility upgrades.
“I was an able person before I became disabled. I was an able person. I was a military officer,” Mr Tuisabeto said.
“When I retired in 2016, I became an executive vice president. Then my first vision was to become the president of Western Disabled.”
While the initiative was previously held once a year, Mr Tuisabeto has begun holding the event more frequently in partnership with business houses since taking office on November 8.
He noted that the association is currently self-funding its efforts.
“I gave about 50 letters to all the businesspeople because the Government doesn’t give us any grant. It’s not the Government’s fault. It was our old committee.
“I think they didn’t handle it properly or something. So last year, we started again.”
To ensure safety, members were divided into teams and stationed at specific spots around the city to prevent accidents.
Red Cross Society Lautoka branch interim president Agu Tuinasau confirmed that more than 10 registered volunteers and trained first aiders accompanied the participants.
“If needs arise in terms of injuries and also in that, we’re also here to assist those that are the members from the Western Disability,” he said.
