Scooters to tackle Southern Alps for charities

Wednesday, 31 October 2018

Anthony Chalder-Royle, Paul Godden and Simon Bristow will travel through the Southern Alps on 50cc scooters.

Brotherly love will see a Northland man ride a 50cc scooter over 1800km, climbing 14,000m to raise funds for the Blind Foundation.

Kerikeri resident Paul Godden will complete the journey through the Southern Alps as part of the Super Scooter Charity Ride and raise funds for the organisation which has helped his brother Mark with employment and technology to 'live as normal a life as possible, whatever normal may be'.

Mark Godden, who lives in Hamilton, was born completely blind in his left eye, and vision in his right has deteriorated over the years.

He does not meet the criteria to be classed as 'legally blind'.

Between the Blind Foundation and employment agency Workbridge, Mark Godden estimates they prolonged his working life at a local pharmacy for another two and a half years.

*Super scooters' ride for charity

*Artist paints scooter for Mike King to raise awareness**

'They [the Blind Foundation ] made it a lot easier, with things like equipment to be able to make text big enough for me to read,' he said.

'Their work is vital to help keep people like me and people with far worse conditions than mine have the ability to keep in touch with the real world today.'

Mark Godden is grateful to the Blind Foundation for helping him live as normal a life as possible.

Mark Godden, who is now unemployed, last visited Work and Income NZ around three years ago to see what support was available.

He said he was told he wasn't eligible for the unemployment benefit due to his wife's working status.

Mark Godden said his family is 'getting by' but they are concerned for when his wife reaches retirement age.

He thinks it's a 'really good thing' what his brother is doing to raise money for the Blind Foundation.

Ministry of Social Development spokeswoman Liz Jones said there are a range of things they do to assist those who are not working due to a disability including income and employment support.

'Our case managers are here to help, or we can recommend this person on to one of the 35 different providers across the country who we fund to work with disabled people to find employment,' Jones said.

'Workbridge is one of those providers. Currently around 6300 people are seeking work or are in work, being supported by these providers.'

Paul Godden and Paul Nesbit will join Simon Bristow and Anthony Chalder-Royle, who completed a 2000km journey from Bluff to Cape Reinga on 50cc scooters in 2016.

'It's made it more personal for me since it will help my brother and it will be fun at the same time,' Paul said.

'It's really good to remind everybody how grateful they should be for something we take for granted - the gift of sight. What better way to do it then to see some spectacular parts of New Zealand.'

The Southern Alps adventure will begin on November 30 and is expected to take eight days on scooters loaned from Southern Suzuki.

The team are backing the scooters to make it up the steep climbs, with Koru Care Southland and Northland charity Bald Angels also set to benefit from fundraising.

'It's wonderful to hear about the personal stories and creative ways that lead people to fundraise for us,' Blind Foundation fundraising general manager Cherie McClintock said.

'We are so grateful to Paul and the Super Scooter Charity Ride for choosing to ride for the Blind Foundation.

'It makes possible the work we do in helping people who are blind or have low vision live a life without limits.'

Visit Super Scooter Charity Ride on Facebook to follow the journey and donate.