National Bank Supports Annual Paraplegic Wheel-Walk

By Patrick Omune

National Bank has taken up the bronze sponsorship of this year’s Kenyan Paraplegic Organization wheel-walk, which takes place in October.  

The Bank presented a cheque of Ksh100,000 in support of the walk aimed at raising money to help enhance the welfare and quality of life of persons living with traumas of spinal cord injuries and related disability across the country. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, National Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive officer Munir Sheikh Ahmed said: “We are happy to once again support this year’s paraplegic wheel-walk which also marks the organization’s 10^th anniversary.”

“At National Bank we understand that we have a responsibility to our society and we have made corporate social responsibility an integral part of our business culture. To underline our deep commitment to making a difference in people’s lives, we are guided by an existing policy and the Bank commits a substantial budgetary allocation each year to such initiatives with focus on health, environment, education, sports and vulnerable groups,” he added.

Hon. Timothy Wanyonyi, Director, Kenyan Paraplegic Organisation (L) receives a cheque of Kshs 100,000 from Mr. Munir Ahmed, Managing Director & CEO, National Bank. The Bank presented a cheque of Ksh100,000 in support of the organization’s “Wheel-walk” aimed at raising money to help enhance the welfare and quality of life of persons living with traumas of spinal cord injuries and related disability across the country. 

Receiving the donation, Director for the Kenyan Paraplegic Organization, Hon. Timothy Wanyonyi said the money raised would be channeled towards nationwide advocacy and awareness creation and psycho-social support.  

“This year’s event will be organized under the banner ‘hope on wheels’ with a sequence of nationwide activities to create public awareness on spinal injury and advocacy for recognition of persons living with spinal injuries and related disabilities,” Hon. Wanyonyi said.

Available research positions road traffic accidents as the leading cause of spinal cord injuries followed by gun-shots, falls from heights, sporting, and sickness, among others.

“Sadly, this delicate condition leaves those with spinal injuries in self-denial, low self-esteem, desperation while facing a lot of indifference from both family members and society,” Hon. Wanyonyi added. 

This year’s walk marks the 10^th anniversary since the foundation of the organization in 2004. The climax event is planned for October 4^th, 2014 at KICC with a procession to Central Park.