SNN_December 2022 Issue_web low res

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 22
talked to it was like: ‘Let's open it up for everyone because
there must be a lot of other people who are keen to fish’.”
When he returned to the community, he was a man on a
mission. He leaned on his father’s networks who had been
in the banking industry for 42 years. His old man said: “If
you want to do this, we’ll back you 100 percent.”
Bryce found a lawyer and an accountant, and created a
charitable trust in March 2011. The trust had two main
purposes—to take people living with illness, disability
and hardship out on the water; and to either modify or
build a purpose-built system to support the needs of
the recipients.
The first venture on the ocean happened soon after. A
family friend found a 42-foot sport fishing boat which
they adjusted with some Kiwi ingenuity, a bit of plywood
and a few screws.
“I managed to take a couple of people out. One had
Parkinson’s disease and another person was on the
mental health spectrum. They had the time of their lives.”
Testing the waters
For the next 10 years Bryce drove the boat project. They
managed to do multiple trips out of Auckland, the
Coromandel and Bay of Plenty with close to 350 people
enjoying their time on the water.
They were hiring charter vessels and working with them
to make them accessible. The community got behind it
and the ventures were funded by fishing competitions,
sausage sizzles, and raffles. But to build the boat, Bryce
knew he needed much more.
He made an appearance on the ITM fishing show with
Matt Watson which was a huge boost to their profile.
Following that opportunity, Ray Lowe reached out to
Bryce to see if he could help.
Ray—a qualified engineer who has worked in the fabrication
industry—has a passion for fishing. “He said ‘I think we can
do a better job getting people involved to support this’.”
They created the grinder fishing apparatus which allows
people with a disability to fish around 95 percent
independently.
Then they turned their attention to the boat. The first
designs started at 11m in length and the final design was
17.5m long. The cost was now up to $5million.
Ray was heavily invested in the process to create the most
accessible boat in New Zealand. They met with
experienced boat designer Roger Hill who completed the
concept drawings and then they got to work with boat
builders Alloy Cats in Mount Maunganui.
Funding was still an issue.
Out of the blue, Bryce got a call from Matt Watson who said
the Labour Government were putting together a $20
million fund for people to be involved in the America's Cup
and beyond. He believed Bryce’s vision was a perfect fit.
When we got the funding
for the boat, it was an
unbelievable moment.
“We said if we are successful with this funding from the
Lotteries Commission, we would be able to build this boat
and basically create a legacy moving forward with the
ability to take 1000 people out every year. That was our
line in the sand.
“It was an unbelievable moment.” A whole host of
community funders followed. Within six and a half
months, $2.4 million was raised from community funders.
The Wish4Fish boat was completed in October 2021.
“There is nothing like it in the world,” Bryce says proudly.
A surreal feeling
—Bryce Dinneen
Bryce says it’s a surreal feeling every time he goes out on
the water on the Wish4Fish boat. He often reflects on
what they have achieved and created.
“For a long period of time this project was supported by a
small group of like-minded individuals like friends and
family, they said whatever you get into we will back you
all the way. We never gave up.”
Bryce says there is no better feeling than helping a person
with a disability realise what they are capable of.
“Mate I have seen it all,” he says. “I've seen people that are
on the mental health spectrum that don't need their
medication. I've seen people reunite, re-energise with
their family and loved ones.
“They don't have a disability or illness when they're out on
that boat, they are just like everyone else, just going out,
feeling the sun on their face and the wind in their hair.”
There are two things he loves about fishing—the
environment and the challenge. “It's that sense of
freedom—there is nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Bryce says he will never take fishing for granted as he
knows that life can change in a moment. “When I speak to
people now, that’s what I say—just appreciate what you've
got. Life could change in a heartbeat.”
Bryce has accepted his SCI and helped change the lives
of others. “I’d always give the shirt off my back to
someone,” he says. “I guess it's just the way I am. With
the cards that I've been dealt, I’m just trying to play the
game as best I can.
“To me, the one thing I can control is my commitment
and my positivity. I still have my ability to engage with
people and make a difference.”
They tried a couple of times before they got the call they
had been waiting for.