A wheely exciting record!

Day of Persons with Disabilities; A wheely exciting record!

United Nations’ International Day for Persons with Disabilities is held on December 3rd to celebrate, The Cube will be trying to break the Guinness Book of Records' existing record for the longest continuous line of moving wheelchairs.

The record attempt will circle the Mt Smart Stadium racetrack, offering people a chance to work toward a goal with like-minded others, celebrate diversity, make new friends, have fun and network within the disability sector.

Guided by the their Youth Engagement Group (YEG), the Cube work throughout New
Zealand to support, enable and empower young people with disabilities. The YEG’s brainchild, The Cube have attempted to break the world record before, when hundreds of people in wheelchairs gathered at Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter.

While they didn’t quite reach their goal, The YEG were thrilled to have a great turnout and provide an opportunity for people to be part of something exciting and empowering. This year, they’ve gathered support and are confident they can beat the record.

“We have a really good chance of beating the record this year,” says YEG Chairperson Josh Fuimaono. “We chose this particular record as it’s something really doable, and raises awareness of the disability community.”

Focusing on empowerment, positivity and inclusion, the record attempt aims to
demonstrate what people with disabilities are capable of. “We want to show what people with disabilities can offer their communities, families and workplaces,” says Josh. “It’s about demonstrating that people with disabilities are motivated and have something to give to others."

Local home care equipment brand Invacare are donating 150 wheelchairs for the day, which will go a long way toward breaking the current record of 192, previously set by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation in Los Angeles.

The descendants of the Thompson family, who established Invacare, now own the two oldest wheelchairs in New Zealand. They’ll be participating in the record attempt with two wheelchairs dating back to the 1800’s! Bringing together old and new to break the record will show just how capable people with disabilities are of achieving inspiring and unexpected goals.

The Cube will also using the opportunity to help others, encouraging people to bring a can of food to donate to the Auckland City Mission.

Following the record attempt, The Cube will celebrate the rest of the day with food, music and entertainment including bungees and a bouncy castle. There will also be appearances from local personalities and interactive exhibits from each of The Cube partners, demonstrating their work.

All activities on the day are free and available for people of all ages and abilities. It’s going to be a day of fun, inclusion and celebration, so come and join in at Mt Smart Stadium’s athletics track, 11am - 3pm. The record attempt will begin 12pm.

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