Queenstown agency launches risque fundraiser

SHANE COWLISHAW/Southland Times

Queenstown-based MedRecruit managing director Sam Hazledine with the calendar his company has produced to raise money for Auckland tetraplegic Ashley Thompson.

Supermen for Ashley calendar

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Some of the talent on display in the fundraising calendar. Click here to order yourself a copy in full, glorious colour.

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Queenstown-based locum doctor recruitment agency MedRecruit has launched a risque Superman-themed calendar for 2010 to raise money to help an Auckland man walk again.

The calendar features nine young men in Superman underpants posing in locations from New Zealand to Paris to South America.

MedRecruit managing director Dr Sam Hazledine said he thought of the idea after hearing about 28-year-old Ashley Thomson's goal to walk again.

"Ashley is an incredible guy," Dr Hazledine said.

"He's awesome. Some people who take a hit throw the towel in. He's just doing so much to get himself back on track."

Mr Thomson fell on to his neck, fracturing his vertebrae, resulting in tetraplegia in July 2000.

His only hope to walk is stemcell transplant treatment by a Dr Shroff in India.

He has already raised the $96,000 and completed his first treatment and has regained some movement and sensation in his right foot.

To walk again he requires another $137,550 for five more treatments.

Dr Hazledine said the theme for the calendars was a tribute to the original movie Superman, Christopher Reeve, who also suffered a spinal cord injury.

Calendars cost $15 each and 100 per cent of the funds raised go to Mr Thomson.

None of the photos had been altered and were all originals taken on location during 2009, Dr Hazledine said.

Last year MedRecruit also produced a calendar featuring male doctors, which raised about $6000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.

MedRecruit was this year named the fastest-growing Queenstown-based business and the second-fastest-growing company in New Zealand after recording more than 800 per cent growth in its first years.

Owned by Dr Hazledine and his wife Claire, MedRecruit was also named the fastest-growing business services company in the country, at the Deloitte Fast 50 awards in October.

To donate to the Ashley Thomson Trust go to www.riseup.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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