Andrew Strawbridge appeals helps raise over $54,000 for Samoa's hospital

The fund was inspired by Andrew Strawbridge and his wife after Mr Strawbridge was struck down critically ill after suffering an eye infection. Photo / Jason Oxenham

A Givealittle appeal raising funds to provide medical equipment at Samoa's Moto'otua National Hospital intensive care unit have surpassed $54,000.

The fund was inspired by Chiefs assistant coach and Manu Samoa technical adviser Andrew Strawbridge and his wife Laura after Mr Strawbridge was struck down critically ill after suffering an eye infection.

Since their story aired on television on the weekend, the total raised was this morning sitting at $54,856.

The 51-year-old father of three, who is now blind in one eye as a result of his illness, said: "I am so grateful to the kindness shown by complete strangers, our family and friends and those who understand the challenges caused by a lack of medical equipment in the Moto'otua National Hospital intensive care unit.

"We really do want to make a difference and supply basic equipment that we take for granted in New Zealand."

The Strawbridges, along with Dr Dave Galler and his team - who saved Andrew's life in Samoa while he was there for the historic Samoa v All Blacks Test match in July - are highly committed to the project.

Dr Galler, from Middlemore Hospital, provides his intensive care services voluntarily to the island hospital. He has worked closely with the Strawbridge family to prioritise the medical equipment needed for the sparsely equipped Samoan ICU.

Mrs Strawbridge said: "After our very traumatic experience, we want to help the people of Samoa and the large number of tourists, any of whom could require the services of the intensive care unit, to obtain the basic medical equipment that they need and deserve to have.

"Samoa is a beautiful country with amazing people and they need our help."

The appeal will continue to run until the end of October in order to purchase as much medical equipment as possible for the Samoan Hospital.

Air New Zealand is also supporting the appeal and has offered to transfer the medical supplies to Samoa for the Strawbridge appeal, with the first shipment of five boxes of supplies having been flown over on Sunday October 4.

So far, the appeal has received the following, either as donations, or purchased:

• Personal Computer - donated by the University of Waikato with Microsoft donating the Microsoft Office for the PC

• Syringe drivers - BD

• Humidifiers - donated by the Critical Care Complex at Middlemore Hospital who are upgrading

• Bedside Trolleys - USL

• Health Alliance have also provided advice and contact with suppliers

People can still donate on the Givealittle page.