Pushing for Mates 2014

Four Cairns men who all have paraplegia will push their wheelchairs around Barlow Park for 40 hours. Every hour will represent the life of each soldier who lost their life in Afghanistan, while serving their country. They paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

Ian, a former Naval Warrant Officer was injured in 2004 when deployed as Executive Officer HMAS TARAKAN during Op RAMSI in the Solomon Is leaving him with paraplegia and using a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Ian knows firsthand what it is like to live with a permanent injury both physical and psychological.

Andrew was involved in a workplace accident in 2003 at the age of 18. Andrew was working in demolition when an excavator bucked fell on him leaving him with complete T6/7 paraplegia. Following this traumatic life changing injury Andrew learned how to live with and overcome his physical and physiological disability.

On 1 January 2002, Ben was riding his motor bike with friends in the Blue Mountain west of Sydney when he came off and hit a gutter. The accident left Ben a paraplegic from the 4th Thoracic vertebrae with a number of other injuries. After 6 months in hospital life changed dramatically for Ben having to start a new career, new interests, new friends made and a new life. Ben will not let his injury define him or stop him achieving his goals.

In 1989 Bob took an Australian holiday from the UK to Cairns, by 1992 he had emigrated and has lived here ever since.
In 2009 Bob had a workplace accident, falling through a ceiling, Bob woke up in hospital to find his legs did not work and that he would now use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The support family and friends has been incredible, keeping Bob both physically active in wheelchair sports and mentally positive. "It is a great honour for me to be involved in the 40 for forty", says Bob.

These Cairns men are committed to raising funds for Soldier On which is an Australian charity organisation dedicated to supporting those who give so much to our Country. Despite their own challenges, they recognise and remember those who have been motivated to protect our country. Soldier On is about Australians coming together to acknowledge our physically and psychologically wounded; we will always have their backs. Their work shall never be forgotten. We will work tirelessly to enhance recovery, inspire communities and empower Australia’s wounded, giving those who have served our country the dignity they deserve and the chance to do and be whatever they choose. Please support this worthy cause. 

The event will commence 1600 23 April 14 and finish 0800 25 April 14. Cairns Regional Council are kindly donating the use of the athletics track and facilities.