NZ Spinal Trust benefits from marathon fundraiser by Whanganui District Health Board's new chief executive Russell Simpson

Russell Simpson handover cheque to Spinal Trust Thursday, July 05, 2018 Wanganui Chronicle photograph by Bevan Conley.

When Whanganui's Wayne Riddiford fell off a motorbike and lost the use of his legs the New Zealand Spinal Trust helped him get back into work.

He's now a member of the trust and accepted a cheque on its behalf on July 5. The money was raised by Whanganui District Health Board's new chief executive Russell Simpson during the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon in May.

It was separate from the $226,000 he and his friends have so far raised for Heart Kids.

Simpson wanted to support the spinal trust, because he was aware of its work through his former job with HealthCare NZ.

Riddiford fell from the bike in February 2013. He injured his spinal cord and spent five months in Christchurch's Burwood Hospital, one of New Zealand's two spinal units.

His lower limbs were paralysed, which he said was "a major thing. It takes over your whole life".

But he didn't let it throw him.

"I thought this was just a bit of a hiccup in life. I've got to get on with things and just do it."

He had been working for hydraulic hose company Pirtek, as a service technician and salesman. After the accident he was able to return to work in administration, with the office modified to suit him.

ACC has altered his house and given him a van with a hoist, which allows him to wheel himself into the driver's seat.

"Basically I can do anything I want. I work, drive myself around in this van and have a great life," he said.

As well as helping people back into work the spinal trust has a buddy system for people with spinal injuries, and it helps their families. More than 80 per cent of its income comes from donations and grants.