Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 152 August 2022 | Page 76

CYCLING

Backing

Vusi

Olympic race walker and former Modern Athlete columnist , Anel Oosthuizen , is one of several athletes in the George area rallying to help a fellow athlete and close friend , Vusi Marenene , and she has asked if others amongst the Modern Athlete readership can also please help .
Vusi was in his element out on the bike , and hopefully will get to ride again

Earlier this year , a friend and fellow athlete , Vusi Marenene , who we ’ ve shared many rides and runs with , was involved in a terrible cycling accident near Oudtshoorn . Due to the serious nature of the injuries he sustained , he is now a paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair . Unfortunately , Vusi ’ s medical aid does not want to cover all the costs , and therefore he needs the support of the cycling , running and multisport communities .

We would like everyone to get involved , not only as Vusi ’ s friends , but as a community . We therefore created a facebook page , called Backing Vusi ( www . facebook . com / backourbuddyVusia ) and a backabuddy fundraising page to help him : www . backabuddy . co . za / vusi-marenene . Any donation , no matter how big or small , would mean the world , and even if you are not able to donate , we would greatly appreciate you sharing this with as many friends as possible . You can also follow our Facebook page to see updates on how Vusi is doing .
All funds raised will be paid directly to Vusi , and will be used to cover various treatments such as therapy , rehabilitation , medical devices and alterations to his home to accommodate his condition . Vusi also needs a wheelchair . His wife , Liya , his family and his sporting friends will be forever grateful if funds could

A Few Words from Vusi

What a day on 13 May , coming back home after three months at hospital and rehab . It ’ s been a painful chapter of my life , which was just turned upside down in seconds . I recovered , and I ’ m back home , and I just want to thank my supportive wife , Liya , my whole family , my work colleagues , my best friends Marchal Hendricks and Louis Visser , the whole cycling community , and everyone who supported me through this difficult time with visits , calls and all forms of support . I really appreciate it . Thank you , everyone ! be raised to help pay for his medical bills , so that he can continue living his life to the fullest , knowing his medical bills are sorted .
As you can see from all the photos of Vusi , he really loves being active , not just on the bike , but also on the run . Your kind donation will be used towards getting Vusi back to normal life , and hopefully , back on his bike again . If you can contribute in any other way , please reach out to us via the Facebook page .
Vusi is welcomed home by his wife , Liya
If you would like to make a contribution to the funds being raised to help Vusi , you can do so via this direct link to the backabuddy page create by his friends : www . backabuddy . co . za / vusi-marenene . Please help us to help Vusi !
Images : Courtesy Vusi Marenene
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