To channel her grief into something helpful, Briony Chisholm did something unexpected. Despite having been in a wheelchair for decades, she created her own kind of marathon, the solo ‘arm marathon’, to make a difference for students who need financial help. And we’re thrilled to report that it’s been a success!
Western Cape, South Africa (05 February 2024) — A clever initiative has shown people in the Western Cape that sometimes all it takes to make a difference is a little creativity, some heart, and dedication to some fierce arm work. The unofficial, solo ‘arm marathon’ by Briony Chisholm has successfully surpassed its fundraising goal for the second time and is now fully set to make a difference for students at the University of the Western Cape.
You’d be forgiven for wondering what on earth an arm marathon is. Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a marathon reliant on arm movement.
For Briony who took on the initiative as a way to channel the grief she experienced after her mother passed away into something positive and helpful, the idea was sparked when she realised that the ‘steps’ her phone was tracking from her daily movement were not fuelled by her feet, but by her arms.
Briony is quadriplegic and has been in a wheelchair since she was 21 years old on account of a car accident that changed everything for her in the 90s. When she realised she could use her arms to make a difference the way that many marathon runners use their legs to do, her arm marathon began packing a punch of inspiration.
Setting her sights on completing 80kms (just a few kilometres shy of the Comrades) in honour of what would’ve been her mom’s 80th birthday, Briony called on her community to help her make the marathon count.
Beyond celebrating her beloved mother, the initiative aimed to raise funds for the UWC Fairy Godmother—an anonymous Good Samaritan committed to solving small financial problems that students face—from paying for groceries to academic-related stresses. Updates on her kilometres of progress were shared on social media, and the support behind her strides became infectious.
Briony’s mission surpassed its initial wish of R8000 last month already. After shifting the goalposts to R18 000, the arm runner has seen even more support roll in and the fundraising target has been surpassed yet again!
Sharing that her mom “believed that the only way to make things better is through education”, Brioni’s unique Camino will undoubtedly help students with the everyday challenges that hold so many back from excelling through the local Fairy Godmother, who you can read more about here.
Briony’s dedication shows us that there is no blueprint for making a difference. Sometimes it means rolling with the punches and coming up with something entirely new. Working with what you have to work with and seeing how far that might just take you. And betting on yourself even when you’re in an incredibly tough place.
Congratulations to the arm-runner who, beyond achieving those big goals has also inspired so many to follow the path of positive impact!
Sources: Briony Chisholm/BackaBuddy
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