Go Sam Go

Stephanie Mills - Sam to us - is a former NZ triathlete who helped train Helen Clark to climb Mt Everest Base Camp, who was facing her greatest challenge; to get home and raise her son.

After a stroke in 2022 took out her left-side mobility, at 54 Sam was hospitalised, unable to take care of herself independently, or her 12 year old son.

Ever optimistic, Sam was prepared to face this difficulty head on, and saw her time in hospital as being like her chrysalis. When she emerged, she would be as a butterfly, strong and independent once again.

What she urgently needed was an intensive physiotherapy program to get her back to where she could live independently. Already she had made huge improvements, and with a mobility stick could walk 50 meters, with some limited mobility in her right fingers.

We were looking to raise $5,500, which would go directly to Sam’s physiotherapy bills, and any other associated medical costs.

Our end goal was to get Sam to a point where she could go home and raise her son with their 19 year old cat, Bubbles.

Prior to the fundraiser the trust was supporting children and adults who were struggling with various issues by providing therapy. These same individuals were empowered to come together to support Sam and by finding their strengths not only were they able to help themselves, but they were able to support her and each other.