Strawbridge family overwhelmed by donations

      Strawbridge family overwhelmed by donations

Chiefs Assistant Coach and Manu Samoa Technical Advisor Andrew Strawbridge and his wife Laura have been simply overwhelmed by the influx of donations for the Strawbridge Givealittle appeal to provide medical equipment for the Moto'otua National Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Samoa.

Since their story aired on television on the weekend, the total raised has surpassed $54,000; the appeal will continue to run until the end of October in order to purchase as much medical equipment as possible for the Samoan Hospital.

The 51 year-old father of three said “I am so grateful to the kindness shown by complete strangers, our family and friends and those who understand the challenges caused by a lack of medical equipment in the Moto'otua National Hospital Intensive Care Unit.

“We really do want to make a difference and supply basic equipment that we take for granted in New Zealand,” said the coach who is now blind in one eye as a result of his illness.

The Strawbridges, along with Dr Dave Galler and his team (who saved Andrew’s life after he fell critically ill in Samoa while there for the historic Samoa v All Blacks Test match in July) are highly committed to the project.

Dr Galler, from Middlemore Hospital, provides his intensive care services voluntarily to the island hospital.  He has worked closely with the Strawbridge family to prioritize the medical equipment needed for the sparsely equipped Samoan ICU.

Andrew’s wife Laura Strawbridge said “After our very traumatic experience, we want to help the people of Samoa and the large number of tourists, any of whom could require the services of the Intensive Care Unit, to obtain the basic medical equipment that they need and deserve to have.  Samoa is a beautiful country with amazing people and they need our help.”

Air New Zealand is supporting the appeal and has offered to transfer the medial supplies to Samoa for the Strawbridge appeal, with the first shipment of 5 boxes of supplies having been flown over on Sunday 4 October.

So far, the appeal has received the following, either as donations, or purchased:
Personal Computer – donated by the University of Waikato with Microsoft donating the Microsoft Office for the PC
Syringe drivers – BD
Humidifiers – donated by the Critical Care Complex at Middlemore Hospital who are upgrading
Bedside Trolleys – USL
Health Alliance have also provided advice and contact with suppliers. 
 

The page is http://givealittle.co.nz/cause/strawbridgeappealforsamoaicu#.

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