Our history - Sally’s story

Imagine enjoying an afternoon in the garden and waking up in hospital unable to move. This is what happened to me in June 2006 after a freak accident, falling from a hammock. I was left with a broken neck and will never walk again. In a split second my life had changed completely.

I spent nearly eight months in the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre, where I was given first class treatment. During my stay I reflected on how I could help the Spinal Centre to improve its services. When it became obvious that the bed and wheelchair offered at discharge by local authorities would be very basic, my friends at work (Smith & Williamson) rallied around to fundraise, in order to offer quality equipment to ease the difficult process of adjusting to my new lifestyle.

This is how SSIT was formed; to offer the extra help to patients and to the Spinal Centre.

Name change

Originally formed as the Salisbury Spinal Injuries Trust, in January 2008 our name changed to the Southern Spinal Injuries Trust, to more accurately reflect our regional coverage and to expand our fundraising network.