NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 24 It was important that we got people that understood the why. —Catriona Williams each year, we'll be asking for applications to be sent to Milner Mobility. They'll be assessed by an independent panel of three who are anonymous, and they will select deserving people or families to use Charly for a week. INNOVATOR—Catriona Williams with Chris Cunard, the director of ACM Motorhomes. biggest earning racehorses in Australasian history. She came back within days and said yep, we're on board. And then the fourth and final donor. Our Managing Director Meg Spiers directed me towards the Hugo Foundation, after a lot of research, I sent Maryanne Green an email. They have an accessible house down in Wanaka called Hugo House, that they give to people who are in a wheelchair for their use. We will take advantage of that next year, Sam and I, with a couple of friends. I talk to Mary, and I just sit there, and I just can't believe that we haven't met before, I said ‘your mantra and your strategic plan is so in line with what we do, you know’. We tick a couple of boxes that they want to tick. Now we have the Awesome Foursome on board. Other people have contributed—Jean and Rob Johnston, who put in $10,000, and Jonathan Munz who put in $10,000 too. And that's just to help us with the finishing touches. There's been some pro bono, Featherlight hand pegs and things. HT systems have given us a hoist for people who can't do lifts or standing transfers. We have a clever hoist system that can be put in the shower and used if people need to take it with them. Also—we've created the Charly Voucher—this came from Maryanne. People who want to give to those that can't afford. The Charly Voucher has been set up so that anybody anywhere in the world can purchase five nights or more to use Charly. This is a lovely gift that people can give as an opportunity of a holiday in a campervan. To get Charly for two weeks or a month would be pretty cool. We're really hoping that Lions, Rotaries, fundraising groups, will support this and buy a Charly voucher to support someone in need. How did you set the rate? It was difficult. We want Charly to be as accessible as possible. But the reality is it is a $450,000 vehicle. And we have to put a value on it. I really hope people treat it as their own and look after it so that the next person gets to enjoy it as well. Because if it gets wrecked, it will need repairs. And that will mean someone misses out. I appreciate that accidents happen. But we want as many people as possible to enjoy Charly. And the reality is if they do, and it gets used, maybe we'll fund another one. We will wait for feedback. If people want something smaller and cheaper, that’s fine too. People have to realise there are other vans out there, that are not as schmick as this one that are getting rented for more than double the rent for the Charly. I realise it is a lot of money. The target to reach is 180 nights for the first year. And if it reaches more than that, that will be fantastic. More ways to enjoy Charly We also need to mention Sugar Design, Emma who has donated her time, and worked with me on all the presentations and the graphics to help with his project, What do wheelies do who can’t afford to hire the campervan? There are two ways. For the first three years each of our Awesome Foursome donors will donate a week to a person or a family that can't afford to rent Charly. In November Win One of Four Weeks Buy a Charly Voucher Charly will be available for hire from 25th January. For more information www.milnermobility.co.nz
SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 25 The mobility vehicle experts. Sales Rentals Adaptions 9 Pacific Rise, Mt Wellington, Auckland www.milnermobility.co.nz
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