Talking Up a Storm for Spinal Cord Injury Network

 

“I’m lucky to be alive,” was the immediate reaction of Bondi Rescue star Kobi Graham when he suffered his own traumatic Spinal Cord Injury, and now he’s lending a helping hand to others. 

Kobi Graham was injured in a serious surfing accident back in 2010 and as his road to recovery continues, it’s been announced that he’ll play a key role in a major fundraiser in Sydney next month

As a patron of the Spinal Cord Injury Network, Kobi will attend the Fools and Horses Champagne Dinner on 8 April as a guest of honour, and has contributed 'Bondi Lifeguard Experience' including 4 hours with a Bondi rescue Lifeguard, a ride on the jet ski and a tour of the tower, as an auction prize for the night.

The Spinal Cord Injury Network of Australia and The CatWalk Trust of New Zealand are collaborating on the evening with one person a day across both countries suffering a life altering SCI, at a cost of $2.2 billion annually.

 “This is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference to SCI research,” Kobi says. “Full marks to both the SCIN and the CatWalk Trust for what they’re doing to get people up and moving.”

The “Only Fools and Horses Work” debate will be central to the evening, with a number of sports and racing personalities committed to taking part, including one of the world’s elite super models Kylie Bax and the former Wallaby Ben Darwin.

Ben Darwin played professional Rugby Union at the highest level from 1997 to 2003, including 28 Test matches with the Wallabies. Tragedy struck at the World Cup of 2003 when he sustained a neck injury in the winning semi-final against New Zealand and lost all feeling from the neck down for three minutes. Ben's injury forced him to retire from playing Rugby and he is now Scrum Coach/ Video Analyst for the Melbourne Rebels.

Like Kobi Graham, Ben Darwin is fully committed to finding a cure for SCI and is a patron of the SCIN.

Kylie Baxis a New Zealand born model and actress. After being talent spotted in a shopping mall, Bax moved to New York to work as a model. She has appeared on numerous international magazine covers, including Vogue, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar Australia, Maxim, Vanity Fair, ELLE and Sports Illustrated and modelled for high fashion houses such as Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Prada,

Sydney’s Fools & Horses champagne dinner takes place on 8 April, with all profits going to fund research into a cure for SCI.   Tickets can be purchased via www.inglis.com.auor www.catwalk.org.nz

Other highlights of the auction will include a Champagne Breakfast experience with racetrack sensation Black Caviar, plus service auctions for top quality stallions High Chaparral and Exceed and Excel, as well as Stratum.