TWO men, each with only one leg, have embarked on a journey most people would consider an epic feat.
Paul Steyn and Mike Minnie are walking from Pretoria to Cape Town – via Zululand – to raise awareness of amputees and to raise funds to help disadvantaged amputees in getting prosthetic limbs.
Having begun their journey on 26 June, Paul and Mike are currently just outside Ermelo and are set to enter Zululand next week.
After losing a leg at the tender age of 13, Paul started the Paul Steyn Foundation two years ago.
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The foundation strives to be a mouthpiece for amputees and aims to raise awareness among the public, policymakers and other stakeholders about the plight of amputees in general, and specifically the cost of, and access to, prosthetic limbs.
The foundation also serves to raise funds for disadvantaged amputees to gain access to prosthetic limbs.
Paul and Mike met on Easter Weekend during a walk up Sani Pass in the Drakensberg.
It was then that they decided to embark on this journey together.
The walkers are expected to enter Zululand on Wednesday next week (1 August).
From there they will make their way down the N2, stopping in Pongola, Mkhuze, Hluhluwe, St Lucia, Mtubatuba, Richards Bay, Mtunzini and on to Tugela Mouth.
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With not all their accommodation organised, Paul and Mike, with their vehicle support driver Lourens, still need accommodation in Mkhuze, Hluhluwe, St Lucia and Mtubatuba between 4 and 13 August.
They try to use as little money as possible, to ensure as much as possible goes into the foundation, so donations and sponsorships are welcomed.
Paul and Mike also welcome opportunities to speak about their journey and challenges as amputees.
If anyone is willing and able to offer Paul and Mike accommodation, contact Lourens on 072 2653241.
Donations to the foundation can be made by sms the word ‘walk’ to 38021.
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