Wheelchair Ban Provokes Angry Response

The NZ Spinal Trust has reacted angrily to the organiser of the SBS Christchurch Marathon's decision to turn away wheelchair participants this year, despite negotiations over the last several weeks.

The Board Chairman of the NZ Spinal Trust, Richard Smaill, said: "We are frankly disgusted with race organiser, Chris Cox's decision to reject wheelchair competitors from this year's event."

He also made it clear that despite the NZ Spinal Trust being the official charity for the event, the Trust received no funds directly from the event.

The NZ Spinal Trust are promoted on the marathon web-site, but all monies raised are by online fundraising by individual marathon entrants.

The NZ Spinal Trust and SBS have assembled a team of able-bodied team of runners who have generously donated their time to not only run in NZ Spinal Trust colours, but spend considerable time and effort raising funds for the Trust.

"We are indebted to those who have chosen to run for the Trust, from seasoned athletes and hospital staff, to the 3 school children who have set up fundraising sites and donated their pocket money for our cause" says Smaill.

"Our aim is to encourage those with spinal injuries to return to independent living as quickly as possible," says a frustrated Smaill, "This decision is hugely unhelpful and it runs contrary to everything the NZ Spinal Trust stands for."

The NZ Spinal Trust is urging Mr. Cox to review and reverse his decision for Sunday's marathon, and all future events from 2011 and beyond.