Fiji has an estimated 2000 registered people living with spinal injuries, with many more believed to be unregistered and struggling in silence, the Spinal Injury Association of Fiji says.
Office manager Josaia Sila said mobility challenges continue to keep many people out of sight “at the moment, we had about 2000 members registered”.
“If they had not received wheelchairs, some were still at home crawling around or finding whatever way to move.”
He said the association, which began supporting only spinal injury patients, now assisted those with other disabilities as well.
“We catered to the blind, vision-impaired, stroke victims, and others who needed assistive devices,” he said.
He added that limited funding remained their biggest challenge.
Against these challenges, Style Fiji handed over a $50,000 donation to support assistive devices and the association’s rural outreach programs.
Committee member Samson Lee said this year’s fundraising was driven by a new team.
“This is the 15th year of Style Fiji, but my first year taking over,” he said.
“We wanted something useful and to create awareness. Everyone involved strictly volunteered- no one gets a single cent. This is all out of love, all for the charity work that we do.”
He said the gifts would help bring in a 40-foot container of mobility equipment and thanked sponsors Sheraton Fiji, Rosy Events, and Microhire.
Volunteer donor liaison Pitila Thompson said the funds would be used for the container expected in February 2026, along with a major outreach for Vanua Levu.
“The need was so much, and funding was the main challenge,” she said.
“We were grateful to Style Fiji and the Vodafone Foundation for helping us reach more people.”
“We sincerely thank Style Fiji and all our generous donors for their support,” the association said.
