Year donated to raise funds
One man is devoting an entire year to raising funds to help find a cure for spinal cord injury.
Martin Bloxham, who works at New World Matamata, said his inspiration came from two of his friends both of whom had suffered spinal cord injuries.
Mr Bloxham raise funds for will the Spinal Cord Society New Zealand which last year gained approval through the Multiregion Ethics Committee to conduct human clinical trials in New Zealand.
The trial involves transplanting tissue from the nose into the spinal cord.
This tissue contains stem cells and because it comes from the same person there are no problems with rejection or the spread of viruses.
Mr Bloxham said that there was a need to raise $1 million to fund the trials.
Noela Vallis began the society in 1988 after her husband became a paraplegic after a jet- boating accident in 1984.
It became a vision for Mrs Vallis that she would raise funds to assist people with spinal injuries by supporting effective research towards the goal of a cure for spinal cord injury.
The laboratory based in Dunedin, which was started and funded by the society, needs donations to help aid the search for a cure.
Mrs Vallis said a number of people nationwide would be raising funds and holding fundraisers, including Mr Bloxham.
Mr Bloxham, who began his campaign on May 1, is selling wrist bands and a number of other goodies for the society.
‘‘We will be holding events throughout the year,’’ Mr Bloxham said.
‘‘ We are in talks about holding a boxing tournament to help raise funds as well.’’
On March 1, 2013, Mr Bloxham will start walking from Bluff to Cape Reinga, finishing the year of fundraising by arriving at Mrs Vallis’ home in Matamata on May 1, 2013.
There will be a donation box available at the Fitness Centre in Putaruru.
Donations can also be made to the Spinal Cord Society Of New Zealand at any Westpac branch or by going to scsnz.org.nz.