Murray Oliver

My Father Murray Oliver is a man who has always been outdoors. Whether it be working with stock, fencing, playing sport, fishing or hunting – the countryside and mountains of New Zealand have always been the place where he is happiest.

I would rate Murray as one of the fittest and most active old buggers of his age that I’ve ever met.

On 30th November 2017, Murray suffered a tragic accident whilst working at Glencoe in North Otago.

A tree that he was cutting down hit him and knocked him over and he suffered severe spinal injuries.

Murray was transported to Christchurch hospital by helicopter and received revolutionary surgery on his spine to release pressure and fuse vertebra together.

Murray spent the following month in intensive care where he was stabilised and moved to Burwood just before Christmas.

Treatment and care continues but Murray is currently confined to a wheelchair. Whilst he has some movement in his legs, walking unaided is still a way off as is basic care and doing things as he normally would.

Currently, Murray is looking at a date in mid June to return home to Oamaru after a 7 month stay in hospital.

Care and Physio will continue – fortunately provided by ACC but to regain some independence and confidence he needs to be outside - where he has spent the majority of his life, working on the land. Cooping him up inside isn’t the way to heal Murray.

To achieve this, we are fundraising to provide Murray with a mobility device that will enable him to drive around the paddocks, through the mud and up and down hills.

It’s not a cheap machine and is manufactured a long way overseas.

We are asking your help to assist us with getting Dad back on the hill.

Thanks,

Jeff and family