WHOOPS! Finn Richardson on the recovery trail after seriousmountainbiking accident (NZ)
 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/...iking-accident

Finn Richardson on the recovery trail after serious mountainbiking accident

TIM O'CONNELL

Last updated 17:15, September 16 2018
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With a long road to recovery predicted, efforts are underway to raise money for young Nelson rider Finn Richardson and his family.

With the prognosis of a long recovery likely, efforts are underway to support the family of young Nelson rider Finn Richardson.

It has been one week since the 17-year-old Nelson mountain biker sustained serious back injuries following a crash.

Richardson was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital last Saturday after falling off his mountain bike at a property in Todds Valley, north of Nelson.
Supplied

Finn Richardson was recovering in Christchurch's Burwood Spinal Unit following a serious mountainbiking crash near Nelson.

Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust pilot Barry McAuliffe said last week that Richardson fell heavily after going over the handlebars and landing on his head and neck.

In an Instagram post following the accident, Richardson said he had broken his T5 vertebrae, and was trying to stay positive while looking forward to a long period of recovery.

Richardson underwent spinal surgery that night and was subsequently moved from ICU Christchurch to Burwood Hospital on Tuesday.

He will be staying in the spinal unit for the next two to three months and is currently been treated as a paraplegic.

Family spokesperson Dulkara Martig said Richardson has started some physiotherapy rehabilitation and next week will begin a more comprehensive programme.

"Finn is staying positive and is thankful for all the love and support from everybody," she said.

Martig said the family will not have more information about the extent of Finn's injuries for at least four weeks.

His parents Claire Bawtree and Glenn Richardson acknowledged the "amazing" staff and facilities at Burwood, and also thanked the rescue helicopter personnel and the people of Nelson for the overwhelming amount of support and kind messages received so far.

A bank account has been set up for the family to support them during the rehabilitation process.

Donations can be made to:

Account name: 'Finn Richardson'

Account number: 03-1354-0475622-16

A fundraising campaign to set up an 'Adventure Fund' to help Finn get back into adventuring during his recovery period and beyond is also underway.

If you have a product or service you are willing to donate to this, please email with 'Finn' in the subject line.