Head2Head Charity

When I came up with the concept of a 125km walk around the Manukau Harbour, it was touch and go as to whether the idea would ever come to fruition, let alone grow into something which could help change lives.

The thought process behind the idea, along with an amazing amount of support, has helped to build not only a fundraising event but also a brand new charity to help deliver the help where its needed most.

The Cause

Whilst growing up on a council estate in Birmingham, England, I was taught some fundamental traits which are sadly lacking somewhat in society today. First and foremost, if your neighbour needed a hand, you didn't give a second thought about helping them out. As my nan always used to tell me gIf you look after your own, theyfll look after you when the time comesh.

With the onset of the digital age, it is now just as easy to see what is happening on the other side of the world as it is see what is occurring the other side of the street (probably easier). As great as this is, it has meant that we often pay more attention to the goings on in some far flung place then we do with what is taking place right on our doorstep. Hence the reason, issues such as child poverty here in New Zealand arenft being resolved.

There are plenty of fantastic organisations working hard on the global struggles, however the concept of the Head2Head Charity is to put our heads together and focus on local struggles, targeting the children, so they can break the poverty cycle they find themselves in and grow into people who can go take on the global issues.

The Route

On the morning of the 8th November 2014, walkers will set off and start the first 25km leg of the 125km route, with a total of five legs of similar distance being completed over twenty four hours. The spectacular views across the Awhitu Pennisula to the Manukau Harbour and Tasman sea, keep the walkers occupied throughout the first two legs. As the sun begins to set behind the rolling hills of the Manukau Heads, the third leg begins just as the spookiness begins in Kingseat, walkers handing over the imaginary batons to their team mates, who walk on through to midnight.

The beginning of leg four starts outside the Auckland Botanical Gardens and then heads right through Manukau and passes close by Middlemore Hospital, which has once again entered a team or two. A little further along, the fourth leg team passes Hubbards Foods, who have built on their participation last year by signing up as the principle sponsor of the event for the next three years. The last 25km of the walk has the walkers skirting the Manukau Harbour as the sun is coming up, heading into Titirangi and on into the Waitakere Ranges. Finally, walkers arrive in Huia to a huge round of applause, as they cross the final Finish Line of the walk.

Why sign up?

Why do people sign up and put themselves through this? There are really two aspects; one, for the majority of the walkers, this is a personal achievement as they have never walked such a distance and two,by taking part in this event they feel proud to be addressing some of the challenges faced by the children of Auckland on a daily basis. Prior to the walk taking place, each team is set a fundraising target of $1,000. This is another aspect to the Hubbards Head2Head Walk, which sets it apart from other events, as we encourage teams to enjoy the fundraising aspect as much as the walking. Leading up to the walk we promote and attend many fundraising ideas from car washes right through to bake sales.

In previous events, the big highlight for me personally is seeing how people who were meeting each other for the first time during the walk, quickly bond and forge friendships as they walked along the route. This encapsulates the whole ethos of the walk, it's not a race, it's a social event to bring people together and to raise a community spirit.

Here's hoping the 2014 Hubbards Head2Head Walk, taking place on the 8th/9th November 2014, will continue the growth of a wee idea, see resolution to issues in our society and ultimately make the place we live in a great place to be for everyone.

To register a team, head on over to the Hubbards Head2Head Walk website - www.head2headwalk.com

Paul D. - Founder