Most of you know Chris in the context of some form of adventure, movement or outdoor activity. If you don't, then you've heard the stories, seen the photos and felt the passion when he talks about reaching that next peak, goal or location. Ten days ago Chris' seemingly unstoppable forward movement halted abruptly, replaced by an uncertain, difficult and expensive future. I won't go on about all that Chris has achieved, or all that he was planning to. Most of you will have been there and shared in some of those goals.

What I want to talk about is the things he didn't mention, some of the numerous ways in which he shared his knowledge, brought others up when he could, and gave back to the communities he got so much out of, because now he's going to need that support from all of you.

An early, abrupt transition into the world of parenting as a teenager demanded the qualities of Chris that he has carried throughout his life - putting others ahead of himself, pushing those around him to achieve their potential, and demanding from those he loves nothing but full effort and attention. I was never allowed to watch sport growing up, "the time you spend watching it, you could be doing it" was the phrase that forced me outside. Somewhat uniquely, those benefiting from these qualities that Chris has built himself around have not been limited to his children or family. This, combined with a passion for adventure, health and achievement that was contagious and shared, led to Chris having spent most of his life in community focused roles. From working in youth centered drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics, to planning successful youth festivals on his home ground of the Northern Beaches, to lobbying for rural bike paths and leading groups riding to school, to strategic kayak cleanups in his favourite waterways, to pioneering a citizen science annual remote coral reef survey in partnership with United Nations Environment Programmes, Chris has strived to make a difference.

Chris often ended up working in challenging environments, like trying to run programs for kids who needed them without funds or support. One common refrain anyone who has spent time around Chris will probably have heard is “close enough isn't good enough”. Whether it took sleepless nights, or knocking down doors convincing people to donate money, services or time, he consistently made those events and programs a success beyond expectations, not for himself but for those kids.

This drive continued with Chris into his immersion in adventure sports. He told me a story once of when he was working as a divemaster and volunteered to take a quadriplegic man SCUBA diving by towing him around. He describes the joy on this man's face when he was able to experience the pain-free weightlessness of being under the water, the freedom that came with the removal of the weight of a malfunctioning body. What struck me was the same joy reflected on Chris' face as he relived the moment, joy that arose from being able to take someone into an environment that meant so much to him.

Recently, Chris' motivation to give back was formalised with his membership to the NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit, a specialised unit which provides search and rescue services to those missing in remote locations. A friend of ours recently described him as a role model but I think it's more than that - Chris lives as he does because he can't help it, can't help the desire to achieve, the drive to keep moving, the passion that spills over to those around him, and this is inspiring to be around.

Chris hates compliments and being the center of attention, but I would like everyone to know how much of his life Chris has spent building up other people, because now it is our turn to do the same for him.

On the 17th of June Chris was indoor skydiving in the wind tunnel at Penrith, making everyone around him laugh as he (with varying levels of success), practised four way B-Rel drills. When most of the others were going home to collapse on the couch, he packed up and drove to Manilla, near Tamworth, because the weather suggested there might be a chance to paraglide for the first time in several weeks.

On the 18th of June at just after 16:00, Chris took off from Mount Borah on his paraglider for his third flight of the day. Less than two hours later he was airlifted by helicopter to The Royal North Shore Hospital with a serious spinal cord injury, fractured vertebrae, femur and ribs. Following a six hour surgery, the first week was spent in ICU until Chris' condition had stabilized and he was able to be transferred to a specialist spinal ward. We have been told initial scans indicate no physical evidence of brain injury. The prognosis is uncertain, however the damage is severe and Chris will have to adapt to a life of greatly reduced mobility, independence and ability.

It is estimated that the cost of a serious spinal cord injury in the first twelve months is $250,000. Even at this early stage, $4,000 in ambulance bills have arrived, rent and bills keep needing to be paid and every conversation about the future involves costly adjustments. For Chris, our goal is to allow him to live his life independently as he has always done. This will involve moving costs and the sourcing of an appropriate accessible home, equipment purchases, vehicle purchase and modifications and ongoing medical costs.

Chris is not reckless. His insatiable curiosity, meticulous planning and attention to detail all formed part of his approach to most things that caught his attention, including adventure activities. This frustrated many people… running through all possible outcomes and details involved seemed tedious or silly to some. We have spent the last days in the hospital running through all possible outcomes and details involved, and we keep coming to the same conclusion. Chris is going to need all the help he can get over the next weeks, months and into the future.

Please donate what you can, leave your favourite memory, song or photo with Chris in mind and share this with anyone you think can help. Let's get Chris moving again.

As Chris likes to say to me, “Have safe, Be fun”