Rotary Club of Accra Labone raise funds for wheelchair project

The Rotary Club of Accra Labone (RCAL) last Saturday raised GH₵4,003.40 from a fundraising walk through some principal streets of Accra towards the completion of its flagship project: "Wheels for Hope".

The Wheels for Hope aims to donate over 100 wheelchairs to health facilities in the country out of which 51 were last September donated to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the Korle Bu Polyclinic and the Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled.

The walk began shortly after 9:30 am after members of the RCAL as well as family and friends had gathered for refreshments at the Morning Star School in Cantonments.

 RCAL President Lamtiig Apanga addressing his members before the walk

This was after a rousing speech by RCAL President by Lamtiig Apanga who charged members to ensure that their GH₵10,000 target was reached.

He also urged the gathering of over 50 persons to also seize the opportunity to educate persons they would meet on the streets about the Rotary club.

Armed with "Wheels for Hope" branded collection cans and t-shirts, a flag, brass band music as well as assistance from the Ghana Police Service, they hit the streets and never missed the opportunity to ask people along the streets from commercial motorbike riders (Okada), coconut sellers and truck pushers to drivers of posh cars and luxury Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV's) to support their laudable cause.

They walked in scattered groups from the Morning Stars School, the Danquah Circle, the Osu Oxford Street and the Osu Night Market before making their way back to the starting point along the same route.

After the final calculations, Mr Apanga announced that GH₵ 4003.40 was raised with Past President, Gifty Annan-Myers among the stand-out fundraisers after she manged to secure a GH₵500 cheque on the walk.

He stated that although the amount did not reach their target, it will be able to buy 10 wheelchairs which will be added to five which was promised to them by radio and television personality Kwame Sefa Kayi.

A visiting member of a Rotary Club, Reverend Kwakye also pledged to donate two wheelchairs to their cause.

The next beneficiaries of the 49 remaining wheelchairs are the 37 Military Hospital, the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Tamale Teaching Hospital.