A physically challenged woman has vowed to continue her quest to raise funds for a new van to cater to residents at Summer Haven.

ClairAnn Moore, who was born physically challenged and has been confined to a wheelchair due to complications associated with scoliosis, cerebral palsy and polio, has so far received $9,000 in donations to go towards a target of $90,000 she hopes to raise for the new vehicle.

Proceeds from a tag day account for $7,000 of the money raised, while the remaining $2,000 came from pledges Ms Moore received for taking part in last month’s Appleby Bermuda Half Marathon Derby.

With the aid of relay runners Dane Durrant, Larry Richardson and Phillip Maybury to push her along, Ms Moore completed the 13.1 racecourse in a jogging three-wheel stroller donated by Christopher and Danielle Tannock.

It is the fourth time the former switchboard operator has participated in the premier road race to raise funds for charity.

Despite the shortfall, Ms Moore refuses to give up her quest and is determined to reach her target.

“We were hoping for more donations but it’s a start and we appreciate that,” she said. “We will probably come up with something else to help raise more money and hopefully people will still make donations.”

As for last month’s half-marathon, Ms Moore, who took part in last year’s Bermuda Body Building and Fitness Federation’s Annual Night of Champions, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“The response of people rooting us on was phenomenal,” she said. “The response was awesome. People kept calling my name and I could not turn my head quick enough. It was a high, really, and amazing to see and hear the amount of people rooting us on.

“It was an awesome experience with everyone yelling out my name and the relay runners pushing me.

“We only had three relay runners. But they were excellent pushing me from the start to the end.”

Anyone who would like to support Ms Moore and make a donation can do so by contacting chairman of the Summer Haven Trust, John Powell, either at 734-8260 or 293-2099.