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Last month, Waiuku rallied together to help put an injured former resident on the path to recovery. Now, hopefully, a fundraising cruise in Queenstown will take Cam Mitchell all the way to Australia to receive life-altering medical treatment.
In February, Mitchell broke his back at his T6 vertebra after a misjudging a corner on his motorbike. He was left paralysed from the sternum down. Although his day-to-day life has changed greatly, he believes he hasn’t been short changed.
“I never expected to be part of the spinal cord [injury] community, but these things can happen so quickly,” he says. “It could have been so much worse. I guess the silver lining is that I’m still alive. I’ve counted my lucky stars; there was someone looking out for me.”
On this weekend (Sep 5-6), Cruise for Cam will see a 113-year-old steamship carry passengers to Walter Peak for the day. Guests can expect a gourmet barbecue, live entertainment and an auction.
The event will help raise funds to fly Mitchell to Australia for the Making Strides spinal cord rehabilitation programme – approximately $150,000 will be needed.
A keen skier before his accident, Mitchell hopes treatment will help him make a recovery and return to the snowfields. Although living in Wanaka, he retains ties to Waiuku.
The cruise is one of several fundraising efforts supporting Mitchell. Last month, Franklin locals came together for a Music Bingo night in Pukekohe which raised over $4000, his partner Merryn Jolly says.
“We had flyers printed for the bingo night but Pukekohe Service Print wouldn’t let us pay for them! They covered the cost. I think that’s what I’ve always loved about being part of a small community is that you do feel more connected with everyone,” she says.
“It’s usually only at your funeral that your impact on people is truly seen, so going through something like gives you a real sense of your place in the world.”
The local support in Franklin has been both gratifying and eye-opening, Mitchell adds.
“Until you’re exposed to it, either directly or through someone you know, it’s tough to really understand how big an impact a spinal cord injury can have.”
See cammitchell.co.nz for details about the cruise or to donate.
