Bionic legs

$3,775 of $3,400 goal
Given by 24 generous donors in 6 weeks

I never thought I would ski again ☹️; however, the fantastic NZ Olympic team has spurred me on. Help me realise my dream with Givealittle

Canterbury

Five years of rehabilitation have given me an understanding of where I am and where I can go. Unfortunately, it is not far enough. The problem is neurological degeneration in my hips. Two years ago, I could not walk; now I can shuffle with a walker. In the words of Monty Python’s Black Beard The Pirate, "shuffle shuffle crawl crawl".

Steve Austin: Million Dollar Man: Astronaut, a man barely alive. Roland Matthews: Free Radical. A man on a mission. Whanua and friends, we can rebuild me. We have the technology. We can create the world's first highly reactive, short-lived, multiple-valency, impaired atom. I will be that atom. Better than I was before.

“Better... stronger... faster".

The solution is Bionic legs. Steve A. and I go way back; I've seen every episode. He was a man barely alive, they had the technology, and they rebuilt him, better... stronger... faster. I am alive, but the workshop is struggling; the tools are blunt. My solution is a Hyper Shell exoskeleton. I won't be jumping buildings in a single bound, fly at incredible speeds and move faster than the eye can see, and I won't protect Earth from threats, ranging from cosmic villains to everyday dangers. But I might go for a walk with you.

WATCH THE VIDEOS and, one morning this week, put your second 'cafe coffee' towards my campaign (they are never as good as the first one).

With Givealittle, we have the capability to make the world's atomic Roland Matthews walk again.

Use of funds

All funds raised will go towards purchasing the Hypershell exoskeleton, which is designed to assist with everyday movement — such as walking, hiking, or running — by supporting leg mobility and reducing fatigue.

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Latest update

The longest walk  31 March 2026

I think my Bionic Legs walked from California, then swam the Pacific to Aoteareoa. And, where busted at the border, like the French spies. Who would think a pair of Bionic Legs would not stand out as they nonchalantly walked up the boat ramp at Parengarenga Harbour. They would have been whistling, with their hands in their back pockets, admiring the surroundings, and avoiding the ‘eye’ of the suspicious locals. But they have no lips, or back pockets or Jandles (they arrive elnatural) for that matter, so they stood out. Then the government got word of the immigrants, and paperwork had to be submitted, so they were put in a holding cell in Auckland. With the bond paid, a van has been organised to transport the legs to Christchurch. I did not have the heart to make them walk, swim the Strait, and traverse alps. That is, next time, when they are wrapped around my legs.

They will be bundled into a white nondescript van and bustled to bustling Christchurch and to the gang haunt, Hoani St (there was a gang murder four doors down, a month ago). So tomorrow might be the day, but probably not, because the Blue Bridge ferry has broken down, severing State Highway #1, again. The other ferries are probably stuck on rocks somewhere in the sound after the rudder fell off and sank into the depths of the Strait, and the captain was snoozing at the wheel, while the other captain forgot how to put the ferry in reverse. So tomorrow I will check out the tracking App, not wait at the gate.

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2% Effective Fee
On average, fundraisers pay just 2% to use Givealittle. This is one of the lowest effective fees in New Zealand fundraising. We charge a 5% platform fee to cover the cost of running the platform. Because most donors choose to top up their donation to cover this fee, the effective cost paid by fundraisers is about 2%. That means around 98 cents of every dollar raised goes to the cause. Learn More

Latest donations

Sam
Sam on 14 Mar 2026
$50
Roland Matthews

Hi Sam, thank you for your donation, and I'll see you next week for the big event. I was hoping to walk in, but, unfortunately, the USA is a long way away when travelling by road. I'll bring my walker so I won't scuff the walls with my scooter.

Roland Matthews
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 11 Mar 2026
$250
Roland Matthews

Thank you, mystery guest, 2SLGBTQIA donor, who asked me to open my page so they could donate.

Roland Matthews
Steve. J.
Steve. J. on 05 Mar 2026
$80
Roland Matthews

Hi Steve, it is a lovely sunny day in Otutahi, and you made it sunnier. Thanks for your donation. I'll place the order tonight and post a video shortly after I have test-piloted the shell, hopefully with better results than Steve A 😃 with no crashing and burning for me 🫰(I have done that before, and survived, so I am feeling +ve with no FreeRadicals orbiting).

Roland Matthews
Kate
Kate on 25 Feb 2026
$75
Roland Matthews

Hi Kate, Thanks for your donation. I am asking GAL for the donations today, and make the purchase. ASAP. I wont be running at 60 MPH, but I adjusted the speed limter on my trike to 99 kph, that is close enough. xo R

Roland Matthews
Gregory
Gregory on 24 Feb 2026
Private
Roland Matthews

Yeha, thanks Greg, have been in contact with Hypershell and I'm planning to order the shell this week 😀😀😀

Roland Matthews

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This campaign started on 4 Feb 2026 and ended on 20 Mar 2026.