Charity rugby proceeds donated to Te Vaerua

The Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Service is closer to its goal of setting up a rehabilitation centre to cater for the needs of people with disabilities.

Yesterday Te Vaerua president Pastor Eliu Eliu was presented with a $1272 cheque from Cook Islands Rugby Union chief executive officer Ben Koteka.

The funds were raised during last year’s Sevens in Heaven Cook Islands versus New Zealand parliamentarian’s rugby match.

For Pastor Eliu, the funds will go a long way in helping his group of volunteers renovate their new centre in Arorangi which also includes a rehabilitation pool.

Currently Te Vaerua staff work from the Rarotonga hospital as well visiting patients at home.

Pastor Eliu says that when the centre is complete, local people with disabilities can receive the various services provided by Te Vaerua including physiotherapy.

“Our aim is to provide rehabilitation services right here at home where people have their family support,” says Pastor Eliu.

“At the moment people have to go to New Zealand for rehabilitation services.”

Pastor Eliu knows firsthand the need for a rehabilitation centre on the island.

“I have been through rehab when I had my leg amputated from the knee down and Te Vaerua is here to provide services in helping amputees learn to be independent again.”

Pastor Eliu would like to thank the CIRU for choosing their organisation to receive the funds from the charity rugby match.

“And you know there are unfortunate casualties in sports like rugby and Te Vaerua is here to help when this happens.”

Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Service welcomes any donation be it cash or equipment to get the much needed rehabilitation centre up and running to provide services for our people with disabilities.