Hospital Bed Race to help promote Joint Effort Sponsored Walk

25/03/2009 | Hospital Bed Race

MidCentral Health, and local businesses are supporting a national event -the Joint Effort Sponsored Walk, with a Hospital Bed Race on the same day, Sunday 5 April, in Palmerston North’s Esplanade.

The one kilometre walk is for people who have had joint operations, is held around the country every two years to raise an awareness, and funds, for Orthopaedic Research in New Zealand.

The walk will be started at 11am by Town Crier Caroline Robinson who is also the National Town Crier Champion.  Manawatu Mayor Ian McKelvie will be walking beside her and there will be a few other celebrities in the crowd, including the orthopaedic consultants and registrars.

New hips, knees and shoulders have really changed the quality of life for many New Zealanders. Every year 5000 Kiwis need a joint replacement, and that’s why in April 2009 people all over the country will walk to raise funds for the Wishbone Trust. This trust pays for research into new techniques to further improve the lives of people with joint disabilities.

One of the event organisers, MidCentral Health orthopaedic clinical nurse specialist Maria Shaw says arthritis attacks around 40 percent of people over the age of 40, and surgeons are currently replacing about 400-500 joints a year per District Health Board. But more needs to be done.

Following the Joint Walk, a fancy-dress Hospital Bed Race will be held, with a draw for the competitors’ running order. A number of business and MidCentral Health staff teams have been invited to take part, for the Challenge Cup Trophy. Bed race teams will comprise four pushers and a “jockey’ who should be on the bed for the entire obstacle course. Russell Harris from Newstalk ZB/Speedway will be the event commentator.

CONTACT: Communications Unit: (06) 350-8945.