Walking 3000km on Te Araroa trail for Korucare, Missing Wingman, Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School and Te Araroa Trail Trusts.
Nationwide
Money raised will be split 30/30/30/10 to the following charities close to my heart.
Korucare, Missing Wingman Trust, Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School and Te Araroa Trust.
“Hi Mike. I’m thinking about walking Te Araroa, 3000km, the length of New Zealand”
“You can do it! Have you thought about doing it for a charity?” Replied Mike Allsop, fellow Airline Pilot, Adventurer and Everest Climber.
My name is Brian Haybittle. I am 51, an ex RNZAF Aircraft Engineer and current Airline Pilot. I decided, while there is a downturn in aviation due to Covid, to take a mid career sabbatical and work on my fitness. I hope I can exit the 100kg club… I have never done anything this massive before! But I can walk one day at a time...
Rather than see the country at 450kts at 35000ft, I am doing it at 4.5kmh or less and at ground level. I have decided to raise some money for aviation related charities that may have donations reduced due to COVID and the impact on the aviation sector.
30% to Koru Care (NZ) which is a registered charitable trust.
The volunteer team work for no financial reward, donating time and expertise to make dreams come true for children who have drawn the short straw. These days, the Koru Care committee arranges several overseas trips every year for groups of children and caregivers.
30% to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Missing Wingman Trust.
The Missing Wingman Trust (RNZAF) is a registered charity in New Zealand which supports the Royal New Zealand Air Force family. It is the only charity in New Zealand that supports military families when someone is killed, wounded, injured or becomes ill, whether in New Zealand or overseas.
30% to the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School and the WASSI (Walsh Aviation Support Society Inc)
For over fifty years, SCOUTS New Zealand’s Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School has provided the highest quality aviation training in the country for budding young pilots aged 16-19. In early January about 70 students attend the popular two-week long training camp at Matamata. The Flying School has been the starting point for so many students who have progressed to various successful careers in aviation.
WASSI exists to put student pilots of the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School, and others, in the safest aircraft we can. With funds raised from individual and corporate donations we are restoring and equipping Piper PA38 Tomahawks and Cessna 152s to the highest safety standards.
10% to Te Araroa Trust, The Long Pathway, New Zealand’s 3000km trail.
Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail - is a continuous 3,000 km walking track from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Te Araroa is the ultimate Kiwi experience. You can take months to walk the whole thing, or a few hours or days to walk a local segment. Over your lifetime everyone can walk the length of New Zealand.
Te Araroa is a different kind of trail from traditional back-country tramping tracks. It connects people, towns and cities. The Te Araroa Trust and its eight regional trusts work with Kiwis across the whole country to build a trail that belongs to everyone. Their many volunteers and generous donors like yourself make sure our walk of a lifetime is always growing and improving.
I am on extended leave from Air NZ walking Te Araroa. Air NZ supports Korucare. I was in the RNZAF as an Aircraft Engineer. My friends and family still serve. The Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School and WASSI is where I learnt to fly. I volunteer there.
Donate 30% Korucare, 30% Missing Wingman Trust, 30% Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School and WASSI and 10% back to the Te Araroa Trust for all NZ and visitors to NZ
Finished!!! 27 May 2021
7 months it took.
The biggest adventure of my life. I’m looking back and even have surprised myself. When I look at other walkers YouTube videos as well as my own photos I can’t believe I was even in some of those places.
I feel amazed that by putting one foot in front of another I got down the country.
A huge thanks to Kelly my trail Angel for all her support. Also to all the other trail angels that looked after me along the way.
To all my walking buddies. Well done on getting out there too.
To all the people in NZ I met. Thanks for taking time for a chat. Thanks for sharing the history of NZ. We are a great bunch.
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