Marathoners encouraged to fundraise for NZ Spinal Trust

May 9, 2012

Marathoners encouraged to fundraise for NZ Spinal Trust

The New Zealand Spinal Trust is encouraging people to use this year’s Christchurch Airport Marathon next month as a fundraiser for people with spinal disabilities.

Ben Lucas, NZ Spinal Trust chief executive says the Trust’s fundraising had taken a big hit since the earthquakes and it was looking for innovative ways to help bridge the shortfall.

“The Trusts flagship ‘Push to Pier’ fundraising event was postponed once again this year because of earthquake damage to the course and why we are promoting the marathon as a new fundraising platform,” Ben says.

“People can easily help by setting up an online campaign to collect pledges from supporters as well as to post their updates before and after the event.”

The Trust, together with the Canterbury District Health Board, endorses the Christchurch City Council’s move to making the event accessible to people who use a wheelchair.

Ben says he will be taking up the challenge himself. The successful Paralympian, who received the Bronze Medal for the wheelchair marathon at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, is coming out of retirement to take on the Christchurch Airport Marathon 10 kilometre wheelchair event.

“So if you use a chair, know someone that does, or would like the challenge of completing the distance yourself – take the Warrior Challenge. And don’t forget to set up a team, challenge your workmates to beat your fundraising.

The five people who raise the most funds for the Trust will win a DVD Player proudly supplied by Smith’s City.

To raise funds and win one of the DVD Players, go to: www.everydayhero.co.nz and create your very own page, and you can start raising funds right away.

Alternatively you can make a straight donation at http://www.everydayhero.co.nz/nz_st or http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/NZSpinalTrustMarathon/

The NZ Spinal Trust is the organisation supporting the 3500 kiwis with spinal cord impairments. The Trust works out of the Allan Bean Centre on the Burwood Hospital campus and provides vocational rehab and peer family support programmes to patients at the Burwood Spinal unit and to those in the community. They also operate a fully functioning Library with computer training for people with spinal cord impairments.

To register for the Christchurch Airport Marathon to be held on Sunday June 3, go to: http://www.christchurchmarathon.co.nz/

ENDS

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