A Karitane woman will complete a marathon "walkathon" to fundraise for her partner who was shot in the head.
The attack in October last year rocked the East Otago settlement and doctors expected the victim to survive only hours after he was rushed to hospital.
But the man — who, along with his girlfriend, cannot be named because of a suppression order — defied the odds and was now rebuilding his life, his partner said.
She posted details of the May 7 walkathon online "so we as a community can heal and support my partner for his recovery".
The 44km distance was significant, she said.
It was the distance she regularly drove from her home to visit her partner in Dunedin Hospital.
Krishan Ranui Dick-Karetai (24) appeared before the High Court at Dunedin this month where he pleaded guilty to attempted murder.
The defendant had stalked and harassed the woman in the months leading up to the incident, the court heard.
On October 15, Dick-Karetai took a loaded .22 rifle to the couple’s home and fired a shot through the their front door, hitting the victim in the head.
The man was now walking with the aid of a stick and had seven months of rehabilitation ahead of him before he could return home.
His partner stressed there was much work ahead.
"He has a brain injury for the rest of his life ... He’s learning everything we do naturally all over again," she said.
The woman hoped the event would raise money for his ongoing treatment and would allow the community "to acknowledge his strength and challenges".
Since the incident, the woman had left her job to assist in her partner’s recovery and was only eligible for meagre financial assistance from the Ministry of Social Development.
“I’ve called ACC and I’ve called other sources for advice and any help and had no luck,” she said. “I just feel let down by the system.”
Any money raised from the walk would go towards accommodation in Christchurch where the next phase of the victim’s rehabilitation would take place.
“It’s a lot of stress on one person just for wanting the best care and support for my partner,” the woman said.
There were already about 50 people signed up to join her on the trek, which would begin at Hui Te Rangiora Church at 9am.
She said there were already about 50 people signed up to join her on the trek, which would begin at Hui Te Rangiora Church at 9am.
She expected it to take about eight hours.
Dick-Karetai will be sentenced in June.
