Catwalk Trust

The CatWalk Trust is dedicated to raising funds primarily from within New Zealand and Australia but also with help of friends around the world to support the body of scientific opinion which says a cure for Spinal Cord Injury will be found.

The CatWalk Trust has been founded by Catriona Williams who was one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders and is now confined to a wheelchair following a riding accident in 2002.

There is already significant international momentum in researching a cure in the United States where one American suffers an SCI every 49 minutes – 11 thousand such injuries each year – Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

In New Zealand alone, we have about 70 new Spinal Cord Injuries per year resulting in long lasting impairment. Whilst there are a number of organisations providing valuable rehabilitative support to those with SCI, the CatWalk Trust aims to challenge the current boundaries of research, enabling SCI victims to walk again.

To this end, the CatWalk Trust’s priorities are to:

Support the scientific opinion that a cure for SCI can be found.

Promote and generate funding for research into a cure for SCI.

Identify and assist in medical research and development into techniques designed for the regeneration of the effects of spinal cord injuries.

Monitor the research progress of all scientists funded by the Trust.

Provide targeted assistance to organisations working on projects that promote the purpose of the Trust.

Foster co-operation between all disciplines engaged in central nervous system research, regeneration and direct relief.

Disseminate information about research into SCI.

Cooperate with international efforts in this field.