Final week of Round the Rock challenge draws bags of support

More than 100 people, including the Minister for Equality Samantha Sacramento, joined Kiara Sene as she completed her final week of the 12 week round the Rock challenge in aid of Gibraltar’s Autism Support Group.

Ms Sene started off with a target of £10,000, as of yesterday she smashed that and has raised £13,000, so far.

Seeing them off on their way around the Rock was Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, who had hoped he could have joined Ms Sene and other walkers but due to his work commitments was unable to.

As she was about to embark on her last week of the challenge Ms Sene described how she felt as “excited, overwhelmed, nervous and very emotional.” These she said were emotions she had not expected to have when she started off 12 weeks ago.

“I have many good family members, many good friends and I have met many people along the way who have made everything possible,” she said.

The minimum she has had joining her each week was 40, yesterday with fellow sportspeople in Gibraltar, such as Nathan Stagno and his team, joining her there was over 100 people.
“Kaira came to see me, we met in my office and she was incredibly inspiring,” Ms Sacramento told the Chronicle.

“She asked if I could join her for the last leg of the challenge and I will do as much today as my diary allows,” she said.

“It was important given the intended recipients of the funds which is obviously connected to the Ministry for Equality and we work with the Autism Support Group very closely so I am here to support Kaira and the Autism Support Group,” she added.

Ms Sene described the support Ms Sacramento has given as “awesome.”

“We met a week ago and she made me feel so good and so proud of myself, she knows everything about autism. She is the main women, she does all the seminars and you can see that Gibraltar is very prepared for kids with autism,” she said.

Ms Sene embarked on the 12 week challenge because she wanted to give back to the autism community because in the summer she has worked with the GSLA’s stay and play program for children with various disabilities. “I thought it would be nice to help them after what they gave me back during the summer,” she said.

This 12 week challenge is not a once off, Ms Sene, pledged to do it again and may even make it an annual event.

For more information go to the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/12-week-round-the-rock-challenge-in-aid-of-Autism-Support-Group

Pic by Johnny Bugeja