Friends Unite to Run Marathon for Wānaka Teen’s Recovery

A group of friends from across New Zealand recently completed a marathon to support Jake Berry, a 17-year-old from Wānaka who suffered a spinal seizure late last year, resulting in paralysis. The team aimed to raise funds for adaptive sports equipment and events that would help Jake remain connected to the outdoors and his community.

Reuniting for a Cause

The runners, all longtime friends who met in the 1990s at the University of Otago, included Shawn McAvinue, Glen Reid, Glen Mitchell, and Simon Johnson. Despite living in different parts of the country, they reunited to participate in the Queenstown Marathon on November 15, 2023, which was close to where Jake lives, allowing him to attend and show his support.

Mrs. Berry described her son as “a very outdoorsy kid, who is keen to get back into the community.” The team wanted to ensure that Jake could continue enjoying sports, particularly skiing, even after his life-changing injury.

Pushing Through Pain for Jake

As the marathon progressed, the friends found motivation in the thought of Jake being able to carry on with the activities he loves. “When it started to hurt, just thinking about Jake was a big motivation to get across the finish line,” McAvinue stated. The event was significant not only for its physical challenge but also for the emotional connection it fostered among the runners and their friend.

For many in the group, this was their first marathon. McAvinue shared that he had only run 26 kilometers previously, making the full distance of 42.2 kilometers a remarkable achievement. With words of encouragement from his children written on his arms, he crossed the finish line just 25 seconds under his goal of four hours.

The funds raised by the group will be directed towards future adaptive sports equipment and events for Jake. A Givealittle fundraising page created in his name initially aimed to raise $6,500, a target that has already been surpassed, with the page set to close soon. The message on the page highlights that “being in a wheelchair hasn’t stopped the Wānaka teen from continuing to enjoy sports, hitting the tracks and slopes on adaptive ski gear.”

The collective effort of these friends not only underscores the power of community support but also emphasizes the importance of helping individuals with disabilities to remain active and engaged in their passions.