The CatWalk Trustees originally gathered together because of common links to a friend critically injured in a riding accident. That friend was Catriona Williams (www.horsesnz.com) - now a C6-7 tetraplegic.

Initially the group planned to fundraise for Williams herself – but a bigger picture quickly became clear. A cure for all was Williams’ dream – and so CatWalk was born.

"Only legs that work could make my days better!" says Williams. “I want to do things not have things.”

After exploring several options, the group agreed that supporting researchers in the very realistic bid for a cure for Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) would be CatWalk’s aim, following along the lines of the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

With Williams appointed chairman, she began approaching more friends and colleagues and the momentum grew.

"Everyone put up their hand to help without question, it was overwhelming."

Sponsors and supporters can be viewed here … www.catwalk.org.nz/major_sponsors

“What we seem to have achieved is a fun group with a serious aim: getting people out of wheelchairs. So although we approach the work of the Trust with enthusiasm and try to have a few laughs, there is a real message behind it.”

The CatWalk Trust is dedicated to raising funds primarily from within New Zealand and Australia but also with help of friends around the world to support the body of scientific opinion which says a cure for Spinal Cord Injury will be found.

The CatWalk Trust has been founded by Catriona Williams who was one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders and is now confined to a wheelchair following a riding accident in 2002.

There is already significant international momentum in researching a cure in the United States where one American suffers an SCI every 49 minutes - 11 thousand such injuries each year (www.christopherreeve.org)

In New Zealand alone, we have about 70 new Spinal Cord Injuries per year resulting in long lasting impairment. Whilst there are a number of organisations providing valuable rehabilitative support to those with SCI, the CatWalk Trust aims to challenge the current boundaries of research, enabling SCI victims to walk again.

To find out more about CatWalk please visit our site www.catwalk.co.nz 
 

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