Lake Leisure supports 'incredible journey' for charity

After an accident left her father with severe spinal injuries, a Queenstown woman decided to raise money for charity by taking on her own series of physical challenges with the help of Lakes Leisure’s Alpine Health & Fitness centre.

Fiona McArthur’s father, Dick McArthur became a tetraplegic after falling ten metres in November 2008. His treatment at Burwood Hospital in Christchurch inspired Fiona to raise $20,000 for the New Zealand Spinal Trust by tackling some of the country’s toughest events including the Motatapu off road marathon and Kepler Challenge.

Aware that she needed help to prepare for these events, Fiona approached Lakes Leisure who sponsored her with membership to Alpine Health & Fitness, based at Queenstown Events Centre. Her personal trainer Karl Dennis has donated his coaching time free of charge.

“I used to exercise regularly but after I became a mum my regime gradually got left behind,” said Fiona. “Karl designed a training programme that took me from virtually nothing fitness-wise to being able to run 42 kilometres over mountains and through rivers. I am incredibly grateful to Karl and the team at Lakes Leisure. We have an amazing facility in Alpine Health & Fitness that really supports people in reaching their fitness goals,” she said.

Fiona said she wanted to demonstrate her deep appreciation for the support received by her father at Burwood and through the Trust. She believed she could help by taking on her own physical challenges to raise money and awareness for the work of Burwood and the Trust while encouraging others to get fit and stay fit.

“My father’s accident and ongoing rehabilitation has been a life changing experience for the whole family. We’ve become part of the wonderful community at Burwood and I’m determined to repay at least some of their kindness,” she said.

Fiona made a pact with her father on his first birthday after the accident: if he worked hard at rehab and was able to attend a reunion, then she would run the Motatapu.

“He never doubted me and that belief helped keep me going through to the finish line.”

After a short break, Fiona is now back in training for the 60km Kepler Challenge in December and is determined to beat her time on the Motatapu next year as she continues towards her fundraising target.

“It’s already been an incredible journey with my mind as well as my body. Dad’s accident has been a huge factor in my life but setting my own big personal goal has helped me deal with it.”