Amputee to complete Challenge Wanaka for charity

Hello, I am Melanie and I became an amputee three years ago, due to a medical mistake. My father lives in France. When I was visiting him this year I met Suzette at a local village fete. She is a British Ex Pat like me, and the chairperson and founder of Association Violet, the recipient of any funds raised at the fete. When I chatted to her I was horrified to discover the very negligible support for disabled children and their families in the French Medical system. Her story was so touching, so 'local', and inspirational to me that I decided my race at Challenge Wanaka in Feb 2024 would be in honour of her and this charity. (Please note this will be the first time I have ever attempted to complete Challenge Wanka, I never even managed it as an able bodied athlete!)

The charity name, Association Violet, was inspired by their founder’s grand-daughter, Violet, who has a rare combination of medical conditions. Violet was born with these lifelong conditions and will need help and support for her whole life. She has a very supportive family and care giving network but struggles each and every day with the most basic of activities.

In 2021 Association Violet became formally registered as an French Association (Charity). They are committed to community engagement and fundraising in support of children and families living with lifelong disabilities, with a focus on children locally to where the live, in the Deux-Sèvres region of France.