2008 K4K Grant Presentations

Posted: 5/11/2008 3:14:07 PM

The 2008 Kilometres for Kids ride directly supported two great Novocastrian kids in Gemma Evans and Daniel Snedden. The funds raised through the event helped to purchase new wheelchairs for both Gemma and Daniel and it was a thrill to have them and their families attend a presentation dinner held in their honour at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on Saturday October 25, 2008.

Gemma is a lively 14-year-old young woman who has cerebral palsy. Gemma is in Year 9 at St Pius X Catholic College. She lives with her parents Lee and Michael, and sister, Jessica at Kotara – which is very handy, as Gemma loves to go shopping at nearby Westfield Kotara! Gemma has had extensive surgery recently to enable her to maintain her ability to walk. For longer distances, Gemma requires a wheelchair. She has a powered wheelchair for high school use and travelling longer distances in the community but requires a manual wheelchair for those occasions where a powered wheelchair cannot be used or transported. A lightweight (titanium) wheelchair has been prescribed to assist Gemma with self-propelling her wheelchair and to allow for use in the varied environments she may find herself in. Gemma is a member of Newcastle Young Peoples Theatre, involved both on stage and behind the scenes.  She is also interested in film-making and art and produces some wonderful beaded jewellery.

Daniel is a delightful 13-year-old boy who has cerebral palsy. He lives with his parents Julie and Peter, and sister, Brooke, on the western side of Lake Macquarie. Daniel is presently enrolled in an IO Support Unit in Primary School but will be transitioning to High School in 2009. Daniel’s main source of mobility is a wheelchair, but he is able to walk short distances with a walking frame and can transfer into the wheelchair by himself from a chair. Daniel enjoys computer games, his play station and loves to watch wrestling on Foxtel!

Latest News