Cheque presentaion to Danny Beauchamp-SBF reaches out to former Indian Ocean long jump king Beauchamp |12 April 2005

The money was raised through the sale of tickets for the Charity matches organised by the SBF on Sunday March 6.

The cheque presentaion ceremony took place on Monday afternoon at the North East Point  Hospital where 35-year-old Beauchamp is presently staying and receiving treatment.
It was SBF chairman Paul Denis who presented the cheque to an emotional Beauchamp in the presence of representatives of teams who participated in the three matches and members of SBF executive committee.

On behalf of the SBF, chairman Denis said that it was a great pleasure for him to present Beauchamp "a man of great courage" with the cheque.

"It's a great pleasure to be here. The money we're giving Danny comes deep down from our hearts. I reassure all those present that the SBF will continue to organise Charity matches to raise funds for other charitable causes," said Denis.

As for Beauchamp, he thanked the SBF for its "wonderful gesture and contribution."

"I am really grateful. Words can't express what I am feeling right now. I think that it's a really great initiative on the part of the SBF and I pledge other organisations to follow the example," said Beauchamp.

He added that time heals and with time he has been able to accept what has happened to him.

"I am now more positive and I accept what has happened. Though my treatment in India hasn't been as fruitful as I had wished, I am convinced that one day I will rise from this wheelchair and walk again. With God everything is possible," said Beauchamp. 

The double Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) long jump gold medallist in Seychelles (in 1993) and in Reunion (in 1998) spent a month at the Miot Hospital in India recently for an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) for paraplegia.

Paraplegia is considered as severe or complete loss of motor function in the lower extremities and lower portions of the trunk.

Beauchamp still holds the national long jump record of 7.86 metres set in Mauritius on June 28, 1992 during the African Athletics Championship to win the bronze medal. His personal best in the high jump is 2.13 metres.

This year's Charity matches saw Bel Air thrash Anse Etoile Stars 76-39  (ladies), SMB Razorback edge Cascade Bullets 66-57 and PLS Hawks defeat Premium Cobras 89-86 after extra-time (men).

C. J.