Special race for Nicki and Halena

Special race for Nicki and Halena

9 October 2013

For mother and daughter Nicki and Halena Berkett completing the first 2km of the Nelson to Christchurch leg of the ANZA Challenge together will be a very special achievement.

Halena, 20, has a neurological movement disorder called dystonia which causes her muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily. Symptoms first started to appear when she was 14.

Halena has undergone four brain surgeries to lessen the effects of the debilitating disorder. This has helped her regain better control of her body, but Halena still requires the use of a wheelchair to get around.

Her mother Nicki says despite having gone through a tremendous amount, Halena is an incredibly strong and positive young woman who is very happy to help out others whenever she can.

“We thought the ANZA Challenge was a fun way to support the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation to continue to help others with disabilities.”

Nicki works for Harcourts in Nelson and Harcourts New Zealand is the principal sponsor of the inaugural ANZA Challenge - a trans-Tasman sports race taking place from 15 to 20 October.

Teams of sports stars and celebrities representing New Zealand and Australia will run, row, cycle and sail over 1300km around New Zealand during the course of a week.

As well as the fun of trans-Tasman rivalry, 100% of all money raised during the event goes to the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation - the charity dedicated to enabling physically disabled young New Zealanders to participate in sports.

Nicki will push Halena in her wheelchair for the first 2km of the leg of the race leaving Nelson’s Trafalgar Street for Christchurch on Wednesday 16 October.

They will be alongside the Harcourts New Zealand team which includes former All Black and broadcaster Marc Ellis, Black Sticks player Gemma Flynn, World Champion cyclist and netballer Alison Shanks, Olympic gold medal rower Nathan Cohen, Paralympic cyclist Nathan Smith, Paralympic rower Danny McBride and sports presenter James McOnie.

Harcourts New Zealand Team is up against an elite team of Australians, including former rugby league player Wendell Sailor.

For more information go to www.anzachallenge.com

ENDS

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