Standing tall brings sheer delight

SHEER DELIGHT AT BEING UPRIGHT AND ABLE TO WALK UNAIDED

The sheer delight of being able to stand upright and walk hands-free by himself is written all over six-year-old Daemon Heather’s face, when he showed off his skills at Belmont Domain yesterday (Sunday October 16).

Daemon is pictured with online Aotearoa Lions Club president Chethna Naidu and Theo the jack russell/Aussie terrier, who were part of a national fundraising campaign to raise money for the Hart Walker mobility frames that enable children with cerebral palsy like Daemon to stand upright, kick a ball or pat and play with a dog.

There is no government funding for the devices that cost around $10,000 each. In 2000 Lions Clubs adopted the Hart Walker funding as a national project and since then close to 200 children have been fitted with the mobility walking frames.

On Sunday thousands of Lions and community minded Kiwis throughout New Zealand walked to raise funds, including the online Aotearoa Lions who offered various options of 1 kilometre to 10 kilometre walks or runs beside the Hutt River.

A Give A Little page has been established https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/cmf2016 for the public wanting to make a donation. Lions ensure that 100 percent of money raised will go to the Lions NZ Child Mobility Foundation which funds the Hart Walkers.

The Lions Club of Aotearoa is a recently formed online club. Its members can be based anywhere in the country – perfect for those who want to contribute to the community but don’t want to attend traditional club meetings.

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