Young Achilles Ambassador rolls into Wellington

Young Achilles Ambassador rolls into Wellington for Cigna Kids Waterfront Fun Run

Eleven year-old Achilles Kids Ambassador, Jaden Movold won’t let 22 operations and titanium rods in his back keep him from running events WELLINGTON – December 8, 2015

Eleven year-old Achilles Kids Ambassador and athlete, Jaden Movold will be coming to Wellington for the Cigna Kids Waterfront Fun Run, held at Frank Kitts Park on Wednesday 16 December.

The Fun Run, hosted by Athletics Wellington in partnership with Sport Wellington and Cigna, is held for preschoolers through to Year 8 students, with the younger children running 500m, others 1km, and the oldest running 2km. Cigna staff will be volunteering at the Fun Run as part of their all-staff volunteer day to help marshal the run, and to operate a number of stalls including face painting, a BBQ and ice-blocks. All proceeds from the stalls will go to Achilles International NZ, a charity that supports New Zealanders with disabilities to participate in mainstream running events.

Jaden will be representing Achilles Kids at the Fun Run, talking to participants about his experience with Achilles, as well as taking part in the run itself on a special hand cycle. Jaden was born with a range of medical conditions including spina bifida and gets around in a wheelchair. Despite having had more medical procedures than most adults experience in a lifetime, he lives life with an abundance of positivity, generosity and courage.

Jaden is an athlete (swimming, triathlon, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair turbo touch, hand-cycling), a disability ambassador, a Kapahaka performer, and a fundraiser for a number of charities who support kids with disabilities. Jaden trains with Achilles fortnightly and has participated in a number of events with the group. “I’m honoured to be the Achilles Kids Ambassador for New Zealand and hope to inspire and encourage other kids, whatever their ability or disability to get out in the community and be active,” he says.

Jaden came to Wellington earlier in the year to participate in Cigna Round the Bays 2015, and is looking forward to returning for Cigna Round the Bays 2016.

Cigna New Zealand partners with Achilles and is the primary of sponsor of the Cigna Kids Waterfront Fun Run and Cigna Round the Bays. “We’re excited to be on this journey with Achilles, it’s a great cause and Achilles athletes, like Jaden, have some really inspiring stories,” says Cigna New Zealand CEO Lance Walker. “Achilles is a great fit with our commitment to help New Zealanders improve their lives through health and wellbeing solutions.”

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