The George Herald reported recently on Craig’s plans for the epic walk with which he aims to highlight the plight of disabled children in Africa.
"Thursday was D-day and everything fell into place perfectly. Craig left at 11:00 and even the Mother City dished up a stunning day," said Debbie Cape, a friend who spoke on his behalf.
Craig was inspired by the Chaeli Campaign, a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town that focuses on children with disabilities.
He says there is a lack of awareness and knowledge regarding disabilities in most African countries. He will be visiting centres for the disabled in each country and supplying them with educational material which the Chaeli Campaign has developed. The aim is to supply 222 children with assisted devices, one for every day that Craig is on his journey.
Craig will also be offering workshops to the communities he visits through which he wants to create awareness of the work that centres for the disabled are doing in their communities.
Kindness of strangers
On Tuesday, Craig was on his way from Beaufort West to Victoria West. From there, he was to head to Kimberley where he is to give a talk at Kimberley Boys’ High on Friday (tomorrow) and have a braai with the students. From Kimberley he will head off to Bloemfontein where he will be celebrating Heritage Day with St Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein with a braai and a campout on their grounds.
According to Tracy Green, charged with fundraising and events for the Chaeli Campaign, he will leave Bloemfontein in the direction of Johannesburg on Sunday.
"Craig has already, even in this short space of time, been touched by the kindness of strangers - people offering him lifts, shelter, food and smiles. This journey is going to be an incredible one!" Tracy told the George Herald.
25 April 2012
Craig plans to reach Port Said, Egypt, on 25 April next year after covering 16 000 km.
"I encourage people to find me through my web site and meet up with me as this trip is about meeting people and sharing stories and possibly a bed."
People can get in touch through the website, www.walk4wheels.org, or by joining www.facebook.com/walk4wheels.
Craig kneels to chat to Kayla Vorster who received a standing frame from him. It was the first donation on his journey made on behalf of the Chaeli Campaign. Kayla needs the standing frame to prevent her hip joints from dislocating. She is pushed here by her sister Chloe.
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
