Geneva's Colour Cruise 'Race of Champions' Celebrates Diversity & Inclusion

Geneva Healthcare, VIPs and industry leaders celebrated the annual Colour Cruise ‘Race of Champions’ on Wednesday, 5 June at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland. There were over 120 people with disabilities, from Geneva’s Community Living Homes, Choices in Community Living, Geneva Elevator, and athletes from Special Olympics New Zealand.

Tupara Morrison, Geneva Healthcare Pou Tikanga Rua started the event with a mihi whakatau acknowledging the Mana Whenua Ngãti Whãtua Orãkei and welcomed Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Minister of Disability Issues and Social Development; and Hon Michael Woodhouse, Member of the Health Select Committee and National Party Spokesperson for Health, and former Minister of ACC.

This was followed by an entertaining yet motivational speech by Special Olympics New Zealand Athlete, James. He said he used to be a water boy, distributing water to rugby players but was never allowed on the team. Now he is a Power Weight Lifter and recently competed in the Summer Special Olympic Games in Abu Dhabi 2019.

Then the races began! Everyone was off on foot, manual and power wheelchairs as the chequered flags waved, and the loudest of cheers echoed all around. After the races finished, everyone enjoyed a well-deserved post-race lunch thanks to Attainable Trust and The Pure Food Company.

The race winners received certificates, medals, and prizes for their incredible efforts, and the Hon Michael Woodhouse announced the Lite Cruise winners (those walking or using manual wheelchairs). The Hon Michael had this to say,

“We have developed a really good relationship with Geneva across the various areas of work that they do, and we’re learning a lot about the fantastic work that you [Geneva Support Workers] all do”.

Similarly, Chelsea Blair, ACC Strategic Partner added, “I want to start by thanking Geneva for putting on this event today. It’s such an awesome opportunity for everyone to get out and have some fun”!

Geneva provides disability services from Rehabilitation and Supported Employmentat Geneva Elevator to a caring home environment at their Community Living Homes across Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Tauranga. The annual Colour Cruise is just one of the many ways that they support their Clients to live their best lives.

Geneva are New Zealand’s trusted experts in aged care, illness, injury and disability support. Their services are free to those eligible for government funded support, and they also provide private funded services, so for more information on home care support services, health staffing services and concussion support services please go to www.genevahealthcare.co.nz .