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Damian Day's Story
In early 2008. Tielcey Park fundraised to provide a future for Damian Day. You may know Damian by sight, even if you don't know his name. Damian is one of the many unpaid volunteers who ensure equestrian sport can continue in New Zealand.
Damian volunteered at the Levin A&P late January 2008. He set up camp as normal at Levin showgrounds and was helping with the showjumping. During the night his bike was stolen - one of his most prized possessions and his only source of transport.. Talking with Damian about this theft brings him to tears - he was incredibly upset as he had no insurance and his bike had been especially modified for his needs. It cost him more than $2,000 many years ago.
Damian pedals his push-bike all over New Zealand setting up home in his tent wherever he goes. He frequently travels 80km per day to get to shows around the North Island - volunteering his labour to set up dressage arenas, build showjump courses, pick up rails and pack up. He rides his specially designed steel-framed bicycle - it is his home and sole source of transport. On this bike Damian carries more than 50kgs of his possessions including his tent - his portable house.
Damien has dyspraxia - a neurologically based disorder which affects his muscles and speech - in his words, he "fights" this condition and does all he can to not let his disability disadvantage him. Taking a step or lifting a rail involves thousands of muscle commands you or I take for granted - Damian has to consider every movement of every muscle before his body will respond. Damian bikes such long distances to keep his muscles working, without this physical therapy his condition would deteriorate.
He is living with us at Tielcey Park for the winter. Damian would ideally like a new folding bike from Bike Friday. Made in the USA, this bike would meet his needs better. He has a quote of USD $2,300 plus shipping and GST for this folding bike, and had saved nearly $1,000 towards this when his bike was stolen at Levin. As he survives on only $8,000 a year it will take him many years to afford a new bike.
We discussed how to raise enough money for Damian with Jessie Montgomery, a student living with the O'Fee's from Jumpabull (Bulls). Jessie was devastated at Damian's situation and wanted to help. She took the initiative and organised a raffle. She organised a bank account for donations, solicited prizes from equestrian businesses and sold 165 tickets in 2 days. We all were overwhelmed with the response, and so she found more sponsors and more prizes - we are now running more raffles.
From the funds we have raised Damian has had the funds to buy:
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