Getting People Out of Wheelchairs and Back on Their Feet Becomes a Marathon Effort for Mark Todd

The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust has committed a team to participate in the New York Marathon later this year, with Olympian Equestrian rider and Patron Mark Todd the first to sign up alongside Founder of the Trust, Catriona Williams. Williams is competing on a hand-cycle and joins a select few to have attempted this in the New York Marathon.

A team of 20 have stepped up to the challenge of running the world’s most famous marathon in support of the Trust’s latest initiative to raise funds for a cure for spinal cord injuries.

Mark Todd, who is also making a World Championship bid this year, may be equestrian fit, but is facing a whole new challenge in running his first marathon.

“This is a great opportunity to do something positive to help this cause. The equestrian world is extremely conscious of the spinal cord injuries resulting from the sport. I am thrilled to be able to make a difference“, says Todd.

Long time supporter of Todd is Bell Tea and Coffee Company who has stepped up to the mark as his first sponsor. Chief Executive Mark Hamilton said “We have had a rewarding relationship with Mark Todd for many years, and we’re thrilled to be working with him again on such a good cause. We’ll be supporting him all the way to New York.”

While a personal physical and mental challenge for all Team members, it’s also a personal desire to make a difference to people with paralysis and those that will suffer in the future. All have been touched by someone who has had their life changed in an instant, affecting all those around them through a devastating spinal cord injury. In New Zealand alone, we have one spinal cord injury occurring every 5 days.

Formerly one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders, Catriona was confined to a wheelchair following a riding accident in 2002.

There is no Government funding in New Zealand for spinal cord injury research.

The CatWalk Trust’s goal is to push the boundaries and pace of scientific research to enable spinal cord injury victims to walk again. “Our aim is to have all paralysis sufferers to walk, run and dance again”, says Williams.

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.
“These are exciting times, as I always say every day in the chair is one step closer to being without the chair!”, says Williams.

As the Trust’s family of Patrons indicates (Richie McCaw, Mark Todd, Sarah Walker, Sir Brian Lohore, Zara Phillips, Lance O’Sullivan, Dion Nash, Aaron Slight), those most likely to be struck with paralysis are those that live on the edge and push boundaries in their chosen sport every day.

40% of spinal cord injuries in New Zealand are due to a sporting accident. The leap from being at the peak of physical activity to one second later being paralysed is something they are familiar with. With such a significant sporting involvement, the New York Marathon as a fundraising challenge for the Trust “made a lot of sense”, said Williams.

Bell Tea & Coffee Company Chairman, Tony Carter has also pledged his support for the cause by signing up as a Team Member for 2010 to raise funds through crossing the finish line, “as a company we support The CatWalk Trust, but personally I embrace this opportunity to realise a long held dream while supporting this essential cause”, said Carter.