Two Maties para-athletes are a step closer to potentially qualifying for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France, following a fundraiser hosted by Maties Gymnasium.
The fundraiser took the form of an aqua aerobics class, led by aqua instructor Annatjie Goedhals, and was hosted in Maties Gymnasium’s indoor swimming pool on 24 February. According to the event’s organiser, Calista de Lange, its objective was to raise funds for Toni Mould and Kerwin Noemdo, two Matie para-athletes training towards the 2024 Paralympics.
“[Maties Gymnasium management] thought… that [it] is the perfect way to get people involved – it is something different,” said De Lange when referring to Goedhals’ proposal to host an aquathon to raise funds.
Upon arrival, participants could scan a QR code to donate an amount of their choice towards the fundraiser. The QR code remained active until 29 February, after which the total amount raised could be calculated and divided equally between Mould and Noemdo, said De Lange. At the time of publication, the amount raised had not yet been confirmed with SMF News.
The lack of funding to help South African para-athletes get to local and international competitions motivated De Lange and Maties Gymnasium management to help Mould and Noemdo, resulting in the fundraiser.
Mould must compete in two Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Para-Cycling Road World Cup competitions to qualify for the 2024 Paralympics, she told SMF News. This year the world cups will be hosted in Belgium and Italy, according to the event’s website.
“You are looking at about R100 000 for one trip,” said Mould. According to Mould, traveling to the competitions alone is impossible, as she needs help dressing and eating, and must therefore fund two to three people per trip.
“I joined for Toni,” said Mikal Davis, a fitness manager at Maties Gymnasium, who participated in the fundraising event. According to Davis, taking the time to show support makes a big difference for Mould.