Sarah Walker Steps up as Patron for CatWalk Trust

World champion BMX cyclist, Sarah Walker has become a Patron of The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust. Ranked number one in the world, Walker will assist the Trust in creating awareness about spinal cord injury and the reality of a cure.

40% of spinal cord injuries are caused through sporting accidents with biking (mountain and BMX) being a significant contributor.

“Being a patron for CatWalk is something I am really proud of as I have experienced first hand the determination of a friend who had an accident biking. She is an inspiration and I look forward to the opportunity to work with CatWalk and their cause”, says Walker.

Walker joins a family of Patrons for The Trust that are all sporting heroes in their chosen sport, including Richie McCaw, Brian Lochore, Mark Todd and Dion Nash.

The CatWalk Trust’s goal is to push the boundaries and pace of scientific research to enable spinal cord injury victims to walk again.

“Research in this area has already been successful in assisting some people to walk again and to reduce the risk of paralysis after injury through specific treatments. World renowned scientists and researchers know a cure is not a matter of ‘If’ but ‘When’,” says Catriona Williams, Founder of CatWalk

“It’s an honour when people like Sarah step up and give their time so freely for CatWalk. To have one of New Zealand’s positive young female role models involved is just magic”.

Walker has an affinity with the Trust as one of her top competitors and friend from Australia, ended up a paraplegic after an accident at the 2006 World Mountain Bike Championships in Rotorua.

There is one spinal cord injury in New Zealand every five days. A split second is all it takes to go from being at the peak of physical activity to paralysis. There is no Government funding in New Zealand for spinal cord injury research.