Snow Sports NZ Receives Donation for Adaptive Programme

Media Release

Snow Sports NZ Receives Donation for Adaptive Snow Sports Programme

Lake Wanaka – (27 November 2013) – Snow Sports NZ has received $4717.69 to help support adaptive snow sports programmes thanks to a fundraising appeal by the Young Stroke Survivors NZ Fundraising Appeal.

Maria Fredatovich launched the fundraising appeal in October 2012 with the aim of assisting young stroke survivors. Maria had a stroke in 1996 at the age of 13, paralyzing her right side and causing the loss of her peripheral vision. Commitment, patience and determination got Maria and her family through the tough times and today she enjoys an active and adventurous lifestyle and enjoys skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Her mission is to help young stroke survivors “learn that there are no limits in what they can achieve and that there is still a happy and prosperous life that lies ahead of them- even after a stroke at such a young age.”

Maria’s fundraising focus began with the aim of helping another young stroke survivor, McKenzie, who suffered a severe stroke in April 2012 at the age of 12. Maria raised funds to enable Auckland-based McKenzie and her family to experience a winter holiday in Wanaka and the opportunity for McKenzie to undertake adaptive ski lessons at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

The fundraising efforts were so successful that, as well as sponsoring McKenzie’s trip to Wanaka, Young Stroke Survivors NZ has been able to donate additional funds in the amount of $4717.69 to Snow Sports NZ to support its adaptive snow sports programme.

Snow Sports NZ CEO, Marty Toomey, says, “Maria's enthusiasm is inspiring and we look forward to being able to put the generous donation provided by the Young Stroke Survivors NZ Foundation to good use supporting other young stroke survivors. It is truly humbling to see how Maria has embraced adversity and focused her time and energy on helping others who find themselves in a similar situation to what she experienced as a teenager.”

Snow Sports NZ is the national sporting organisation representing the interests of adaptive snow sports. Adaptive snow sports is about adapting equipment and lessons and providing accessible support systems to allow people with a wide range of disabilities to take to the snow and experience the freedom of snow sports.

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