Injured backpacker home thanks to crowdfunding
A WELSH backpacker seriously injured after falling from a ladder in New Zealand has been flown home after friends raised thousands of pounds for him to make the trip.
Matthew Williamson, 30, was left paralysed from the chest down when he fell four metres from a ladder and severed his spinal cord while abseiling.
Matthew, from Caldicot, was “living the dream” on his around-theworld trip but was unable to afford the specialist flight to come back home in his medical condition.
But a crowdfunding campaign launched by friends raised nearly £8,000 to get the fare to fly Matthew home.
Matthew thanked his supporters on Instagram after he and his nurse girlfriend, Justine Bennett, 26, made the “difficult” flight back to the UK.
He said: “Justine and I would love to thank everyone that showed their support and kind donations that helped us get back to the UK.
“The flight was difficult and gave many challenges and emotions that I wasn’t ready for. We made it back in great condition ready to take on the new challenges that lie ahead.
“We can’t thank you all enough, I personally will never know how to repay your kindness. I truly have the best friends and family and girlfriend anyone could wish for.”
Matthew was working in Auckland as an industrial abseiler, which involves skilled rope technicians operating in hard-to-reach locations.
But during a job he hit his head on a hatch door and fell from the ladder, fracturing his spine and severing his spinal cord.
Before his return to Wales, Matthew spent time in rehabilitation to make sure he was fit to fly back.