City of Bunbury councillor Betty McCleary is taking on a new challenge to raise awareness.
Ms McCleary will navigate Bunbury in a wheelchair throughout Friday, December 8.
She will be in town from 8am, manning a pop-up shop before holding discussions with shop keepers and taking part in an iSports workshop in the afternoon.
Ms McCleary will also be leading zumba classes at one of the CBD’s free busking areas.
The campaign will raise funds for Rebound WA.
The City of Bunbury team has already raised over $400, aiming to raise $2000 for the cause.
Ms McCleary said the campaign would illustrate the council’s support of people with disability in Bunbury.
“The call went out for the council to become some of the participants and I took it up because I want to know what it’s like in the chair,” she said.
“I’m very much into supporting those with disabilities so this is a wonderful opportunity for me to promote that and earn a bit of money for them [Rebound WA],” she said.
Ms McCleary said the challenge was designed to test the CBD’s accessibility.
She said she wanted to highlight Bunbury’s range of activities for people with disability.
“It’s about working to encourage people who are paraplegic to know that there are sports out there for them,” she said.
Ms McCleary accepted the challenge to show her support for Bunbury resident Graeme Royston.
Ms McCleary met Graeme’s wife, Anne-Marie Graham, several years ago, and has remained friendly with the couple ever since.
Mr Royston said the campaign will highlight issues Ms McCleary could then pass on to others.
“I think it is going to be enlightening for a lot of people as far as the issues that Betty will come across as she tries to negotiate with Bunbury footpaths and streets,” he said.
Visit the Rebound WA Wheelchair Challenge Website, reboundwa.com/corporate/wheelchair-challenge/, to donate.
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