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A group of sporty MPs will be taking on Mahurangi rugby and netball teams next Saturday, September 20 in a special fundraiser for Fin Paddison, a Warkworth youth who suffered critical injuries after falling three storeys from a Queenstown balcony in April.
Fin sustained a severe brain injury and multiple breaks in his back and neck from the six-metre fall, which happened when a glass balcony at his Airbnb gave way as he leant against it.
He’s since endured countless surgeries in Christchurch and Auckland Hospitals, lengthy rehabilitation in Ranui and will soon move to Middlemore Spinal Unit, where he will learn to navigate life without the use of his legs.
Family members say thanks to his hard work and determination, he has made amazing progress, is talking a lot and visiting home weekly.
Cousin Poppy Stenbeck, who set up a Givealittle page that has raised more than $63,000 for Fin and his family, says local support has been awesome.
“I cannot thank our community enough for the support they have shown my family and Fin during his recovery,” she says.
“We are so incredibly proud of him and how amazing he has been doing with all that the therapists throw at him. Fin has been putting in the hardest work ever and boy, is it paying off – he is talking a lot and his sense of humour is 100 per cent back!”
The fundraiser at Warkworth Showgrounds is being hosted by Mahurangi Rugby Club and starts with a curtain-raiser game of Mahu v Silverdale U21s rugby at 10.40am. This will be followed by two Golden Oldies v Parliamentarians matches – the Mahurangi RFC v NZ Parliamentary Rugby game kicks off at 12 noon and Kaipara Flats v the ‘Parly Ferns’ netball follows at 2pm.
MPs confirmed to take part so far include Shane Jones, Simon Watts, Peeni Henare and Tom Rutherford. As well as the games themselves, there will be raffles on the day and food and drink will be available at the clubhouse.
Stenbeck says the family is very grateful to Mahu RFC for organising the event.
“We can’t wait to see everyone there and we are aiming to get Fin there for part of the day as well,” she says.
Info and donations: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/supporting-fin-paddison-and-family/updates
