Andrew Clarke Tour Aotearoa for MHF

I’ll draw on a personal story to try and help explain why the MHF is my chosen charity. A couple of decades ago I was lucky enough to begin a teaching career at Mahurangi College. It was there that I met Pete Lyons. Pete and I had regular tramping trips at the start of many summer holidays. We bagged 13 tramping trips. Given his failing sight, Pete took delight in calling me his seeing eye dog. Some of you will know Pete as a close mate, as the 6th best teacher south of Tokyo or you might recognise his name as a famous writer for the ODT & NZH. Pete often talked about walking Te Araroa & his stoicism saw him trek to Annapurna Basecamp & across the Camino despite being visually impaired. He was an inspiring character, extremely intelligent, mischievous with an infectious big belly laugh. Sadly, Pete passed away in 2020. I’m riding for Pete & for many other friends, family members, students, & colleagues.