Cycling From Bluff to Cape Reinga for Make-A-Wish Foundation!
Cycling the length of New Zealand, fundraising for Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses.
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I'm cycling the length of New Zealand, from Bluff to Cape Reinga, fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
I start cycling on 25th October, with my route hugging the western coastline of New Zealand as much as possible. Distance-wise it's about 3,000km, and pretty hilly with climbing the equivalent of 4 x Mount Everest - about 36,000 climbing metres.
My goal is to fundraise $30,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This mission of this wonderful charity is to grant the wishes of New Zealand children who have critical illnesses to give them hope, strength and joy.
Every wish is as unique and special as each child and is only limited by the child's imagination. From going on scary rides with dad or creating magical memories with family members, to princess playhouses, tree huts, bedroom makeovers, meeting celebrities or swimming with dolphins, the aim of Make-A-Wish is always to uncover the one true wish. You can see just how magical each wish is by checking them out here: http://makeawish.org.nz/wishes/wish-stories/
Your donation will make an extraordinary difference!
David Cunningham's involvement (page creator)
I love doing good for people and communities, so whilst seeing NZ by bike, it’s a chance to fundraise for a wonderful New Zealand charity, Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Latest update
CYCLING MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! 22 December 2021
Bluff to Cape Reinga Stage 26: Karikari Peninsula to Cape Reinga.
Song of the day: “Heaven” - Bryan Adams
I made it! 8 weeks, 4000km, 160 hours of pedalling, and 4 times the height of Mt Everest.
Weirdly, I near sprinted that last hundred metres into my wife Annie’s arms at Cape Reinga It was pretty emotional! Then we popped a bottle of bubbly at Cape Reinga lighthouse. Job done.
Back on Monday 25th October I turned the pedal for the first time. As the saying goes, “every journey starts with a single step”...or pedal stroke as the case may be. Since then I’ve turned the pedal over 750,000 times. Man that’s a lot.
Some were easy (downhill, tailwind), some were hard (like today’s 14% gradient to the finish line). But unlike kids with critical illnesses, my journey is over. That’s why it has been so special to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and their mission to fulfil wishes of children with life threatening illnesses.
So how do I feel? One word. Gratitude.
Gratitude that I’ve been fit and healthy throughout the trip. Gratitude for the donations from almost 200 generous people in support of Make-A-Wish. Gratitude to the tens of thousands of courteous motorists encountering this crazy lone cyclist. Gratitude for the amazing campgrounds along the way which made our stays so welcome (and especially for the long, hot showers). Gratitude for the amazing team at Make-A-Wish who provided no end of encouragement and inspiration. Gratitude that in these ‘COVID times’ we were able to complete the journey, even with a few bumps along the way. Gratitude to the radio stations and newspapers around New Zealand for giving the journey and Make-A-Wish such great profile. And gratitude that we live in such a beautiful, unspoiled country which provides such an awe inspiring backdrop for cycling.
But more than anything, GRATITUDE for how my amazing wife Annie has supported me on this incredible mission. In reality, I did the easy bit while you organised our lives each day AND looked after Sophie, Charlie and Sam.
If you’ve followed my daily blog you’ll have seen I have a ‘Song of the Day’. The last three have been “Stairway To Heaven”, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, and today, “Heaven”.
We are blessed.
Fundraising total: $22,770
Latest donations
Yay, $25,000 raised! Thank you everyone for helping reach this milestone. Your collective generosity is heart-warming, and really does make a difference for the Make-A-Wish team and the wish recipients.
Thanks so much Susan! Almost $25,000 fundraised for Make-A-Wish thanks to so many generous donation - whether it's the first one or the last one they all make a difference Thank you!
What a lovely gesture! So nice to meet you at the campground. Thank you 🙏
Thanks so much Catherine. It was great to see Pete before Christmas (and you thru the window in your office). I had 20 days off the bike after finishing in Cape Reinga, but broke the drought yesterday with a quick 60km ride here in Waihi Beach where we are staying. Fair to say the 4000km was a great experience,but equally good (and immensely satisfying) to be finished! Thanks again! 🙏
A huge thank you Jamie. I really appreciate your support!
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