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Charlotte has taken on the adventure of a lifetime and is currently trekking Te Araroa, New Zealand, in aid of Winston’s Wish, completely self-sufficiently. She shared more with us about her decision to take on the challenge and what it means to her, as well as some beautiful photos of some of the incredible areas and views she’s experienced along the way.

Tell us about your challenge

I’m walking Te Araroa over five to six months. Te Araroa is Māori for “The Long Pathway” and is a 3,000km “thru hike” in New Zealand. The thru hike, which is a long-distance end-to-end trail, starts at Cape Reigna at the northern most point on North Island and ends at Bluff in the South Island. I’m completely self-sufficient while walking, so I’m carrying everything I need: water, food, my tent and other important supplies. I’ve just finished North Island and I’m now on my way to start the walk on South Island.

Why did you decide to fundraise for Winston’s Wish?

One of the many reasons I wanted to do a thru hike was to take some time to process the grief I’m still holding on to. My mum died when I was 11 and I wish I’d had more support navigating grief and loss at the time.

The work Winston’s Wish does to support young people is so important. Grief and loss is a sad, but inevitable and natural part of the human existence, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Therefore, having additional support as a young person during a very difficult time, whatever the circumstances, is invaluable.

How has fundraising been going?

I’ve been spreading the word about my fundraiser via word of mouth and social media, posting regular updates on Instagram and including links to my JustGiving page – social media is such a powerful and effective form of communication!

What have been your favourite moments of the challenge so far?

There are so many to choose from! So far, I’ve covered a lot of terrain and faced various challenges: Walking 90 Mile Beach, hiking the Tararuas, mountain biking the timber trail, canoeing the Whanganui river, hiking the Round the Mountain Track and walking through all the beautiful forests.

I’ve also enjoyed pushing myself outside of my comfort zone regularly and rediscovering how determined and resilient I am!

It’s great being part of the Te Araroa community, everyone I’ve met has been so supportive and kind. It feels like we’re all rooting for each other to finish. I’m also proud of reaching the end of North Island.

What have been the most challenging aspects?

Keeping the base weight of my pack as low as possible. Because I’m walking every day, maintaining a base weight of 10kg and under is key. I’ve found it very difficult!

I’ve also experienced both tendinitis and plantar fasciitis. Being in pain daily is both frustrating and a real mental drain on top of the physical exertion, which have been additional challenges I’ve had to work with and overcome. Reducing my base weight further, reducing milage I’m trying to cover each day and being disciplined with stretching daily are some of the steps I’ve taken to manage my injuries.

Also, the weather hasn’t been great, apparently New Zealand experienced the wettest November in years. I think I’ve walked in wet shoes and socks more often than dry ones!

What advice would you give to others thinking about taking on such an incredible adventure?

If you have any old sports injuries, definitely get them looked at before setting off. I wasn’t so well prepared!

Being smart about your kit list is key; the base weight of your pack is everything, the lighter the better, so investing in the kit is really worthwhile.

I’d also say that you should prepare to lean into the lows as well as enjoying the highs, it’s all part of the experience and every moment counts!

Feeling inspired?

Huge thanks to Charlotte for sharing the exciting details of her journey so far. We hope to hear more from her once she’s completed the thru hike and would like to wish her all the very best for the rest of the trip. If you wish to, you can donate to Charlotte’s JustGiving page.

If you’ve been inspired to take on an epic fundraising challenge yourself, visit our Fundraising page to find out more and contact our team on community@winstonswish.org to let us know your plans.

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George is walking 65 miles in 24 hours to raise money for Winston’s Wish. Both of George’s parents died when he was 15 and he wants to raise money to help Winston’s Wish to support other young people to cope with their grief.

Tell us about your fundraising challenge

The GSUKChallenge22 is a 65-mile walking challenge in 24 hours. It will see myself and Skipton RFC coaches (joined by friends, family and teammates) set off from Skipton RFC on 30th April 2022 and visit all the local clubs, including North Ribblesdale, Wharfedale, Ilkley, Baildon and Keighley rugby clubs, in order on foot, before finishing the 65+ mile loop back at Skipton RFC on 1st May.

Why have you chosen to support Winston’s Wish?

I was tragically orphaned at the age of 15. Back then there was no emotional support offered to me in the form of an organisation or charity specific to child bereavement. So, I had to find my own way in many aspects of my life growing up. In recent months I discovered Winston’s Wish, and I was amazed at the support, guidance and help they offered children and young adults, and I wanted to do whatever I could to help.

How has the fundraising been going?

Fundraising was slow to start but I have now hit 23% of my target with two weeks to go. I am confident I will hit target thanks to friends, family and colleagues.

How have you found the training?

Not being a seasoned walker, training has been tough at times and hard on the feet. That said, I live in a beautiful part of the country and when the weather is good there is no better past time than getting out in the wilderness and walking with your family and friends. I am very lucky to have great kids (James, Felix, Kiki and Ezra) who are full of energy, along with a very supportive wife (JanJan) who are pushing me to do my best.

What do you think will be the most and least enjoyable parts of the experience?

I am really looking forward to testing my physical and mental ability along with the camaraderie with my teammates and being out in the beautiful landscape. Obviously, it’s going to be tough on the limbs, feet and mind.

Feeling inspired by George’s walking challenge?

Put your best foot forward for Winston’s Wish and take on a walking challenge in support of bereaved children and young people. Explore amazing locations in the UK and help us in our mission to ensure no child grieves alone.

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Sophie is walking 400 miles in memory of her dad who died when she was 13 to raise money for Winston’s Wish. As well as raising money to help Winston’s Wish support other grieving young people, Sophie has found that her fundraising challenge has given her time to remember her dad and process her grief ahead of the 20th anniversary of his death.

Tell us about your fundraising challenge

I wanted to take on a challenge this year to mark the 20th anniversary of my dad’s death in May. I needed to think of something that I could do during lockdown and that would help me to keep my dad’s memory alive.

So many of my happiest childhood memories are of being on holiday with Dad and the rest of the family in Salcombe in Devon, so I decided to walk the equivalent distance from Birmingham, where I live, to Salcombe and back again – a total of 400 miles (644km). I started on 1st March and aim to finish on 16th May, the day of the 20th anniversary of my dad’s death.

Why did you decide to support Winston’s Wish?

My dad died when I was 13 and Winston’s Wish is exactly what I needed 20 years ago. Losing a parent is life-changing and where most children have a million and one things in common with their friends, this is unlikely to be one of them, and so it’s vital to get support and guidance from elsewhere.

To raise money for Winston’s Wish was an easy decision to make. The work Winston’s Wish does is incredible in being able to give hope to children, showing them that despite the trauma, they are able to go on and live a rewarding life.

Were you looking forward to your walking challenge?

The number of kilometres I need to cover averages about 60km per week for 11 weeks in a row, which I knew was going to be challenging! I also wondered how many blisters I would get along the way… I was really looking forward to getting started though, watching the kilometres add up over the weeks and reaching ‘Salcombe’ at the halfway point.

How have you found your fundraising challenge?

It has been great getting out in the fresh air every day, but I am glad the snow quickly disappeared, and the longer sunny evenings have come around! I have found some weeks tougher than others, but I have been sent some really lovely messages about Dad and reading these has been the motivation I need.

I initially set out on this challenge to honour my dad and raise money for Winston’s Wish, but it has given me so much more over the last few months. It has given me time to properly think about my dad, to think about all of the memories I have of him and the great times we had together. Grief never goes away and there are still times when I would do anything to be able to pick up the phone and speak to Dad. However, it also gives you a profound appreciation for life and this challenge has allowed me to reflect on the last 20 years and head towards the anniversary of his death with a better attitude towards it.

Feel inspired?

Take a hike by signing up to a walking challenge for Winston’s Wish! With treks happening all over the UK, there are plenty of destinations to visit and explore.

Choose from a range of scenic challenges and pick a distance of your choice, ranging from 5km to over 100km treks.

The post In memory of dad: Walking 400 miles to raise money for Winston’s Wish appeared first on Winston's Wish Events.