People with Tetraplegia Cycle Everest: A World First

People with Tetraplegia Cycle Everest: A World First

On July 6, CatWalk founder Catriona Williams, Rob Creagh, and Neil Cudby became the first people with tetraplegia to hand cycle 18,000 feet (5,200m) to Everest Base Camp.

Catriona, Rob and Neil have been hand cycling across the Himalaya to help raise $1 million for spinal cord injury research as part "The Big Cycle."

The decision to cycle to Everest was not taken lightly with a number of Doctor's expressing concern about people with spinal cord injury and decreased lung function going to high altitude.

For Catriona, the hand cycle to Everest Base Camp has always been about inspiring and encouraging people to get behind spinal cord injury research.

"Despite injury, obstacle and all odds we have cycled to Everest Base Camp!

We've done it! We are on top of the world and we could not have done it without our supporters! This is for you," says Catriona Williams.

Everest Base Camp marks the 730 km point of the demanding 1000 km journey with two more passes to climb until the cycle's end in Kathmandu.

"The Big Cycle" team would like to thank Platinum Primary Producers, Greenstone Partners, Quadrant Private Equity, and Cathay Pacific for sponsoring the Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu stretch of the journey.

The 15-strong team includes Australia's Spinal Cord Injury Network CEO, Dr Stephanie Williams, who is also cycling as part of the tri-national team.

The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust of New Zealand and the Spinal Cord Injury Network of Australia are collaborating on the "The Big Cycle" to raise funds for spinal cord injury research. One person a day sustains a life altering spinal cord injury in Australia and New Zealand, at a cost of $2.2 billion annually.

To make a tax-deductible donation to the "The Big Cycle" in New Zealand visit www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/TheBIGCycle/ or to follow the journey visit https://www.facebook.com/thecatwalktrust To make a tax-deductible donation to the "The Big Cycle" in Australia visit www.spinalnetwork.org.au/bigcycle or to follow the journey visit http://www.facebook.com/SpinalNetwork

For more information about the "The Big Cycle" visit www.catwalk.org.nz/

ENDS

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