Two years on William Pike back on the mountain

It was two years ago tomorrow (25 September 2007), William Pike was caught in a lahar on Mt Ruapehu.

He lost his right leg below the knee but that hasn't stopped him maintaining an energetic lifestyle.

In fact just recently he climbed Mount Tongariro.

Some may also recall Matthew Purchase, the English student shot in a hunting accident near Putaruru later that year. He is now back in the UK having made a remarkable recovery.

William and Matthew's family spent weeks at Waikato Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit waiting room and they've now combined forces to raise funds to stage a makeover for the waiting room.

William will give one of his inspirational talks in the Bryant Education Centre at Waikato Hospital 6pm on Tuesday October 6 2009. People from Waikato Hospital and other emergency services involved in his care and recovery are expected to attend.

Matthew is now back in the UK and can't be there but having made a remarkable recovery, he is doing a sponsored walk this weekend which has really captured people's imagination - he's already raised $5000.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/8269843.stm

For more information go to our article Giving something back or www.williampike.co.nz

Date: 25 September 2009

Mary Anne Gill
Director
Media and Communications
Waikato District Health Board
P.O. Box 934
Hamilton 3240
Ph: 07 834 3684
Mobile: 021 705 213