Zombie Walk A Wake Up Call, Not An Insult

27, October 2010

For immediate release from Brain Injury New Zealand

Zombie Walk A Fundraising Wake Up Call, Not An Insult

Brain Injury New Zealand is seeking to clarify the motivation and objectives around the ‘Zombie Walk’ which will take place in Rotorua this week* with some suggestions the event is describing those with brain injury as Zombies. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

The point of the Zombie Walk is to draw attention to the nationwide ‘silent epidemic’ of brain injury. The ‘Zombies’ in this fundraiser are in fact those in society who are ignorant to the reality that 90 New Zealanders every day sustain a brain injury.

President of Brain Injury New Zealand John Clough is passionate about the charity and the need to raise both awareness and funds for the work done in the community, work that is often unrecognized.

“Those with mild to moderate brain injury are often referred to as the ‘Walking Wounded’, said Clough. “The effects of brain injury may not be visible on the outside, but symptoms such as severe fatigue, chronic and debilitating headaches, memory loss, visual, balance and hearing disturbances and behavioural changes can result in an inability to work, the breakdown of relationships, depression and ultimately a great cost to the individual, their family and society**.

“Figures show that 33,000 New Zealanders will sustain a brain injury this year. 8,000 – 9,000 further New Zealanders will experience brain injury as the result of a stroke. Brain Injury New Zealand is a charitable organisation that provides education, support, information and advocacy free of charge to the large number of Kiwi’s affected by brain injury.

“In order for us to continue to provide these vital and free services, we rely upon donations. In such a ‘competitive’ environment, we saw the Zombie Walk as an innovative way to draw attention to our charity and the people it represents. This is not in any way intended as a slight or an insult to those people we work with everyday at Brain Injury New Zealand, they are indeed the very people that we hope to benefit from the event and the money raised.”

Clough goes further, highlighting one of the groups more likely to require the help of Brain Injury is more likely than most to sit up and take note of the Zombie Walk.

“The group most at risk of sustaining traumatic brain injury in New Zealand are young men aged 15 – 25, a demographic the Zombie Walk is especially appealing to. If we can reach this audience with our message and in the process raises funds that will enable the Rotorua Brain Injury Association to continue to provide its vital services, then it will be a success.”

ends

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