QUORN resident James Chapman made the trip to Adelaide for the City to Bay Fun Run on Sunday last week but he was no ordinary contestant.
The 16-year-old has been in a wheelchair for the past three years after a motorcycle accident left him paralysed.
He spent almost two of those years at Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital, recovering from the incident and dealing with subsequent health problems.
While he was in hospital, his parents Dani and Corey and sisters Jaquarra and Mackenzie, spent a lot of time at the Ronald McDonald House, which provides support and accommodation for country families who have a child being treated for a serious illness.
More than 3000 families have stayed in the Adelaide premises since it opened in January 2000.
So when James was asked if he would be an ambassador for the City to Bay Fun Run, it was not just a chance to tick-off a goal but to give back to the organisation that helped him recover.
"The Ronald McDonald house asked me if I wanted to be an ambassador in the City to Bay Fun Run and I straight out said 'yes, no worries'," James said.
"It's a chance to give back to something that gave a lot to us.
"For me, doing the fun run is to prove to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to.
"Realising no matter how bad things get, you can still keep living and chasing your dreams.
"It's not always as bad as it seems. I hope others can see this too."
James raised just shy of $6500 using the Adam Internet-sponsored Team Adam Everyday Hero website to raise money for the charity.
He is one of 547 members in the team who had a collective target of $15,000 and beat this with a post-race tally of $16,557.77.
James raised the money through collection tins locally and by sharing the link and his story on facebook.
His family was by his side during the six-kilometre distance he covered for the City-Bay run.
His mother Dani said the run had been worthwhile.
"It was quite exciting to be finally here," she said.
"With all this fundraising James has done, it is an achievement.
"James has been able to prove to himself that he can still do something when he puts his mind to it."
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 25, 2014 issue.
