Olympian and paralympian running to send kids to camp

Two world-class rowers are testing their fitness on solid ground.

Olympian Sarah Chaudhery and paralympian Victoria Nola are set to run the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon together on Oct.20. The pair are running to help raise money for Scripture Union’s Every Kid Camps, an initiative designed by registered occupational therapists to be enjoyed by children with special needs. The organization’s website describes Every Kid Camps as a “camp within a camp,” which allows planned activities to be accessible to children with all levels of abilities.

“As someone who has a disability it’s really hard for me to get out and be physically active,” said Victoria, who is blind, in a press release. “I often have to [rely] on other people to support me. So the chance to do this run and give back to the children who also need support is a great opportunity. I think if I had had that kind of support as a child, I’d be better off today.”

Chaudhery and Nola will run the race tethered together by a lanyard, similar to how blind athletes compete in running events at other races and events.

Scripture Union is a global Christian ministry whose Canadian branch organizes youth camps and sport mission trips for churches. The organization hopes to raise $40,000 from the half-marathon which can be put towards Every Kid Camps.

Scripture Union hopes eventually all their camps will be accessible to children with special needs.

“Our long-term goal is to incorporate Every Kids Camp programming into as many of our camps as possible,” said Lawson Murray, President of Scripture Union, in a press release.

Scripture Union’s presence in Canada dates back to 1879. On an international level, the organization is active in over 140 countries.