25 Days of Christmas

CHRISTMAS UPDATE:

My goal was to raise $25,000 to thank the Auckland City Mission for the very kind, non judgemental and unconditional support they have given me over the last two years. With your help we smashed it out of the park and exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations!

I want to thank Non-Fungible Labs, and the community behind FLUF World for the surprise $100k donation they made directly to the Auckland City Mission on Xmas Eve to support this fundraiser. Words cannot express my everlasting gratitude. Thank you, thank you thank you, to the FLUF Community and everyone who has so kindly donated.

The story behind the $100k donation was the lead TV3 News item on Christmas day. You can watch it here:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/12/former-homeless-man-inspires-100k-donation-to-auckland-city-mission.amp.html

Merry Xmas everyone and thank you all again for your very kind thoughts and generous donations. It was really hot on Christmas Day when I did the final 25km.

My body is more than a tad sore and stiff but my heart is glowing. I intend to keep walking and talking to people. This has been the most rewarding and humbling achievement in my life.

I am still overwhelmed by all the people in the Auckland CBD and Viaduct who still come up and ask me questions

Support from the lovely people of Auckland (in fact, from all over NZ, the UK, and Australia) kept my spirits high and enabled me to complete the challenge

The money raised has helped the Auckland City Mission provide 9000 food parcels and 30000 presents this Christmas.

For those who don't know my story:

I found myself on the steps of the Mission two years ago suffering from depression and health issues. The Mission staff showed empathy, understanding and support, guiding me back to a positive life. After 3 months, I became a volunteer, assisting feeding our whanau.

You will regularly see me walking the streets checking in with and talking to our street whanau.

The Auckland City Mission walking team and I ll started walking the streets around central Auckland fon 1st December, walking 1km on the first day, 2km on 2nd December, 3km on 3rd December - building to 24km on 24 December and culminating with 25km on Christmas day!

Even though I am on a walking frame, waiting on hip surgery and a shoulder reconstruction I was never going to allow pain to stop me achieving my goal.

The 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE iis now complete, but the grind never ends. You can still make a donation :)

Bryne Gregory