Charity Walker Urges Others To Get Out, Enjoy NZ

Media release - January 22, 2009

Record-breaking Cape to Bluff charity walk reflects on 2200km walk – she has grown as a person and urges other young Kiwis to get out and enjoy NZ

The Wellington university student who started from Cape Reinga as a teenager and raised over $28,000 for cystic fibrosis in walking to Bluff says she has grown as a person and urges more New Zealanders to see the country.

Emma Daken, now 20, went through four pairs of shoes in walking 2200km in 70 days to become the youngest Kiwi to walk the length of New Zealand earlier this month.

After nearly a fortnight to recover from painful shin splint, Daken spoke out today about how she grew as a person because of the walk.

``I enjoyed the walk so much and I would do it again in an instant. It was a life changing experience. I feel like I have grown and 'know myself' a lot better. I couldn’t have done it with help from Jucy Rentals.

``I will never understand what impact my walk had on other people, and how grateful they are for that. This walk wasn't hard but the difference it has made is amazing, it was well worth the stress and pain.’’

Daken gave up much of her Victoria University holiday break so she could complete the arduous walk – and has been walking marathon distances most days. Her inspiration for selecting the charity was from her contact with a very close friend who suffers from the condition. Her driver on the walk also has cystic fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis is NZ's most common life-threatening inherited condition and the Cystic Fibrosis Association is the only national organisation dedicated to all aspects of the condition.

``The walk has made me appreciate New Zealand. We live in such a beautiful country and I feel really fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience it. I urge other young New Zealanders to get out there and explore our country before going overseas.

``And I just loved meeting new people, and am still overwhelmed by the generosity. But I hated seeing so much rubbish everywhere. There was so much of it. I wish we could be as clean as we say we are. I have to admit I met a few pretty intolerant people too and some inconsiderate motorists.‘’

Daken said it was too tough to pick her best towns but she said people made a place and in the regard she really enjoyed Invercargill, Hawke's Bay and Wellington (Tawa).

The best parts of the walk were the people and the whole adventure. The worst parts were the
shin splints she suffered; closely followed by fatigue. When she was tired she struggled to give people her full, undivided attention. She also heard along the way many stories of anguish about people battling cystic fibrosis.

``New Zealand feels a lot smaller now that’s for sure. I went into this thinking it was a totally selfless act. But in reality I have benefitted to. I have learnt more about myself, seen and experienced a beautiful country, meet so many amazing people, and best of all, made a difference for others!

`` It feels strange when people come to me with tears in their eyes, and thank me for what I have done because I just see it as 'going for a walk'.

``I will never understand what impact my walk had on other people, and how grateful they are for that. This walk wasn't hard but the difference it has made is amazing, it was well worth the stress and pain.’’

ENDS

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