ITS OUR BIRTHDAY, ITS OUR BIRTHDAY……
YEP Sp.I.N.I. (Spinal Injury Northern Ireland) is 10 years old this month! It really is hard to beleive.
No better time then now to launch our new WEBSITE.
The charity has been very busy over the last 10 years. Between assisting wheelchair users and fundraising events there is always something going on.
Sp.I.N.I. has assisted over 100 people in one way or another from the useage of a motomed to providing ‘Active Hands’ (assisted gloves).
Sp.I.N.I. are overwhelmed with the help and support we have received from not just from the Spinal Injury family, but also from the general public too.
From Sponsored Walks of killamangiro, Skydives, cycles, to a simple ‘charty change jar’ at a shop in town we have raised a wopping amount of £80,000 ! Yes you read it correctly ‘Eighty Thousand Pounds!’
As many of you are aware, the charity was formed to help raise funds to purchase motomeds. Well we have definitely exceeded our expectations. We have purchased no less than 25 units, which all are on loan at all times.
A huge thanks to everyone who donated to the charity and to everyone who helped us to reach this superb amount. There are 100’s of volunteers, and as they say at the major award ceremonies, ‘there are too many to mention. They know who they are’. Thank you.
Us:
We specialise in providing support, rehabilitation & physiotherapy equipment to clients. Here is a selection of the equipment that is on offer to those with a spinal cord injury. Many of our machines are on loan at any time.
We constantly have a long waiting list and always need more equipment to supply the needs of wheelchair users. This includes Hoists, ramps and expensive MOTO meds
and standing frames.
Get Involved:
Sp.I.N.I. (Spinal Injury Northern Ireland) is always on the look out for more members, we are also interested in speaking to any individual or group who can help and facilitate the charity.
Would you like to sponsor the charity directly or organise a “fund raiser”? Please contact us through our details on the contact page.
Extraordinary Experiences
Sp.I.N.I. was founded in 2009 by Peter Steele after he suffered an upper spinal
injury when his jeep over turned in the wind. Peter says, the reason for setting up the charity was, in his own words…..“When I was in Musgrave Park Hospital I had the use of a motor assisted cycle called a MOTOmed. I found the unit to be very beneficial to me so when I left the ward I thought I would enquire about purchasing a machine.
I got an unpleasant shock to find the price was in excess of £4000.
It was several months before we managed to purchase one but by that time much of the muscle had wasted. I didn’t want another patient to have to go through that.
I found out other past patients were in a similar position and could not further their rehabilitation at home which give me the idea on a charity to help others with the same dilemma.”
“I use my pc with my mouth with the help of an Integra mouse, it’s slow but I get there!”
“Most people don’t realise that when patients leave Hospital, at a time when they are going through great emotional, physical and financial hardship, they are expected to purchase their own specialised equipment including, lightweight travel ramps that will allow access family and friends homes.”
Peter experienced this difficult period himself and knows exactly what is required. He wants the charity to be in a position to offer essential equipment immediately.
Hoists and accessories can be supplied to hotels and B&B’s for clients who would otherwise be unable to stay overnight due to their disability.
This service means so much to clients who otherwise may never be able to visit loved ones or attend a function.
We make hotels aware of this service and we try to accommodate everyone but, we always need more equipment.
All our members are volunteers, all monies raised goes towards the purchase and supply of equipment.
