Significant Hugo Charitable Trust Grant To Empower People With Spinal Cord Impairments And Their Families

The NZ Spinal Trust (NZST) is excited to announce a significant grant from the Hugo Charitable Trust, supporting the vital Peer & Whānau Support services for people living with spinal cord impairments and their families. This generous funding will enhance NZST’s mission to empower individuals and their whānau to embrace positive futures following life-changing injuries.

The NZ Spinal Trust’s Peer & Whānau Support programme is the only specialist peer support service covering Christchurch’s Burwood Spinal Unit, providing expert guidance from people with lived experience of spinal cord impairment. The programme also extends support into communities across New Zealand, addressing the profound challenges faced by thousands of Kiwis each year as they rebuild their lives.

The Hugo Charitable Trust, established to continue Hugh Green’s legacy of giving, recognises the enduring impact of NZST’s services. By partnering with NZST, the Trust ensures that essential peer networks, family education, and whānau support services remain accessible to those who need them most. The Trust’s donation will assist in training and deploying fully trained peer support staff, creating meaningful connection and guidance for newly injured individuals and their loved ones across Aotearoa.

New Zealand Spinal Trust Chief Executive, Hans Wouters, says, “Hugo’s commitment enables us to reach more individuals at a vulnerable time in their lives and ensure families no longer feel alone on this journey.” The enhanced Peer & Whānau Support services funded by this grant will coordinate support across the widest network in NZ history, with at least one peer support worker in every region NZST covers.

Mark Owens , Chair of Hugo Charitable Trust, states, “We are honoured to back the NZ Spinal Trust’s critical work. Together, we’re making a life-changing difference for people and families experiencing the complexities of spinal cord injury.”

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