– A Journey of Solidarity on Two Wheels

Wheeling2Help Vol.2 was a nationwide philanthropic initiative during which a group of volunteers began cycling from Istanbul on September 7th, with their final destination being Heraklion, Crete.

The goal of this action was to raise €19,000 through a crowdfunding campaign and donation boxes placed at selected locations. The aim was to purchase 100 wheelchairs, which were delivered to 20 cities across Greece (five in each city) during festive events organized both to mark these donations and to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities, the value of social contribution, and inclusive athletic activities.

Tripoli’s Contribution

As part of its social mission, the Social Cooperative Enterprise 5ENTE coordinated the Tripoli volunteer team and organized the local event.

The event was under the auspices of the Region of Peloponnese and co-organized by the Municipality of Tripoli and the Association of People with Disabilities of Arcadia.

On Thursday, September 29th, the day began with a gathering of cyclists at Areos Square, followed by a symbolic ride to the village of Steno, where the main group of cyclists was welcomed and then escorted back to the city center.

A wheelchair handover ceremony was held at Areos Square, where the donated wheelchairs were officially presented to the Arcadia Disability Association. The event then unfolded into a lively celebration of sport, art, and community, featuring contributions from 34 clubs, groups, and businesses.

Inclusive Activities and Community Engagement

• Experiential games and awareness activities that simulated aspects of daily life for people with disabilities

• Paralympic sports demonstrations and open participation opportunities

• Tennis courts where a Paralympic wheelchair athlete competed against volunteers

• Cycling performances and adaptive go-karts for disabled drivers

• Art workshops, dance performances, and a live concert

The event was supported by:

• 5 major sponsors, who symbolically contributed funds for 5 wheelchairs

• 40 local businesses, clubs, and teams who hosted donation boxes

• 16 businesses that provided materials and supplies for the event

A City United in Giving

Leading up to and following the main event, parallel actions were organized, including:

• Food and clothing drives for the Regional Directorate of Welfare

• A bicycle ride from Mesogio to Paralio Astros, organized by parent-teacher associations of Northern Kynouria

The entire event was a resounding success, with one of the highest participation rates nationwide. Notably, Arcadia contributed the largest amount of donations to the campaign out of all participating cities in Greece.