65 at 65 - Tour Aotearoa 2016

Help us raise funds for the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation so they can give physically disabled young people with attitude a hand-up to realise what they can achieve!

I have been a Halberg Trustee since 2003 and a Director since 2007. It is an iconic ‘public good’ Charitable Foundation, set up by Sir Murray Halberg, that has served the physically disabled community for 52 years.

Last year my wife Kate and I purchased two special beach wheelchairs so physically disabled young people could participate fully in the Outward Bound course...no exceptions. We joined the Scott Watch at Anakiwa in February 2015 and it was not until we witnessed first-hand the life changing benefits participants received from their attendance that I fully understood the work that Halberg does. It was an inspirational experience for both of us.

Talking with the course organisers they identified two factors limiting attendance.

1. Parents’ reluctance to let their physically disabled child attend because they have been naturally protective of their child and do not want them to be put at risk of having a bad experience (i.e. ‘trust’).

2. The financial hurdle to enable their child to attend the course is too high...air travel and course costs.

Well, trust is the responsibility of Outward Bound and Halberg, but making attendance possible financially is something we can help with.

I have organised a separate fund to be set up with Halberg for funds raised and it can only be accessed to assist physically disabled young people to attend the Outward Bound course.

As I will turn 65 during the course of this journey, my aim is to raise $65,000 ($1,000 for each year) riding bike trails covering the length of New Zealand with my son Richard. Tour Aotearoa is 3,000kms! Stupid yes but very much worth the pain. We begin on February 23rd 2016 and you will be able to monitor our progress via the ‘Tour Aotearoa’ website and our facebook page: www.facebook.com/65at65touraotearoa

My request is that we give these physically disabled young New Zealanders with attitude a hand up to realise what they can achieve.

Please get on board,

Regards,

Michael Sidey