Help Bob enable those facing challenges to experience the natural environment in our backyard

Bob is facing a challenging journey ahead. He has battled cancer before and won, but this time around the finishing line is not too far in the distance.

He has therefore set us a challenge too. Being the person he is; one that loves nature, loves people and loves sharing his knowledge and experiences, Bob has joined a group of cancer survivors and patients that have restricted mobility and find difficult to get out into our 'green spaces’. He has supported/guided walks along the section of the Whakatāne 'Bird Walk', between Whitehorse Drive and the bridge at Wainui te Whara stream (approx. 1km). Bob was so overjoyed by the positive response from those that have accompanied him that he would like to ensure more people have the opportunity to benefit from the incredible environment in our ‘backyard’.

Bob has asked me to help him accomplish his vision of a benched wheelchair-friendly track along this section of walkway. Not one to walk away from a challenge, I said yes and a group of us have formed the ‘Bob’s Walkway Action Group’.

Whakatāne District Council are on board too and have contracted walkway engineers to access the current track to give us an indication of costs and timeframe. Sadly they have postponed their visit twice and the new date is 15th January.

I am sad to say that Bob’s vision may not be completed before he is no longer able to walk the track himself.

Therefore, I am calling on you, as friends, family, fellow volunteers, those who know the incredibility difficult journey that Bob is on to help us get the shovels in the ground, as soon as we have the go-ahead. It is difficult to know what the final cost will be, but rest assured any money raised will go to creating wheelchair access, upgrading the track and providing the facilities that benefit those that need to get outdoors to recharge.

Last night Bob and I discussed the inclusion of a picnic setting down by the bridge. If we can only raise funds for this, before he can no longer manage to get out into the outdoors, at least we have started.