79-year-old walking for the NZ Child Cancer Foundation
I'm a 79-year-old bowel cancer survivor journeying the 3,000 km Te Araroa Trail to raise money for the New Zealand Child Cancer Foundation
Whakatane, Bay Of Plenty
I'm a 79-year-old, diagnosed with bowel cancer 5 years ago, and after a successful operation and all clear, I was back out there again.
Seeing photographs of really young children struck down by cancer and undergoing horrible treatment made my heart go out to them and their families. I wanted to help in some small way.
I opened my first “Give a Little” page two years ago and began a journey along New Zealand’s longest, 3,000 km trail, the Te Araroa, from Cape Reinga to Bluff. I decided to section-walk the North Island part first, some 1,700 km, beginning in Wellington and heading north. I have now reached Puhoi, north of Auckland, and raised nearly $5,000 for the NZ Child Cancer Foundation so far.
I've had an extended break to heal an injured foot, which hasn't worked. I’d really like to finish this 525 km section in one hit, provided it holds up :)
I hope people will continue to help me along this arduous journey by donating to the CCF, as they support these children and their families during a very dark period.
I sincerely thank those who have generously donated. Thank you for coming on board with me on my journey.
See previous funds raised here: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/walking-with-a-real-purpose-and-for-pleasure
Latest update
On the trail for 2 more days 30 November 2024
From Kerikeri to "The Farm" campsite. 58 km.
Kerikeri is good town with plenty of shops to resupply, I had to walk 3km to get back on the TA trail again. On the way there I met a group of 6 young people walking together. They'd all met each other along the way and decided to walk together.
The TA trail reached, I was soon left on their dust, literally, as it was on a gravelly forest track that wound it's way slowly uphill. Most of the forest had been harvested so there little shade, and it was a hot day. Travelled 24km. Camped by the sea and had a good sleep.
Next day, off early with another 34km ahead of me, and a very hot day again. Another gravel road, so hard on the feet and soul, that snaked steeply up through a native forest and down the orher side. Eventually a tar-sealed road was reached, with a further 3km to reach "The Farm" my next rest stop for the night. I have about another 250km to go have journied the length of New Zealands North Island NZ. Phew 😃
Latest donations
Hi you two, thanks for your very kind donation, that's very generous of you. Thanks also for your kind words. I hope to see you again on the trail. I'm at the "Farm" atm and plan to have a rest day here, so maybe I will see you. Hope the kayak journey was fun. Cheers, Duncan
Hi there 😃 Thank you so much for supporting me in my journey along Te Araroa, New Zealands longest path, raising money for the NZ Child Cancer Foundation. That was very kind of you. Currently I'm in Opua, having walked 13 km today from Kerikeri. It's a wonderful place to stop, right nextvto the sea. Tomorrow I have a much longer walk on 30km. I hope I can manage it 🤪
Hello there, thank you so much for your very kind donation, it is much appreciated. I'm resting up until spring now. I have so many wonderful memories now of some of the sections I've done so far. The amazing Tongariro Crossing; Whanganui River section; the challenging Tararua Mountain Range with its stunning views, Goblin Forests and unspoilt bush; the 90-mile beach section too of course. I'm looking forward to finishing the North Island part of the Te Araroa so I can begin the South island after that
Thank you for supporting me in such an amazing way. All the donations I receive keep me focussed when times get a bit tough, like they did on 90-mile beach, and the Tararua mountain range early on in my walk.
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