Teen Death Drives Friend To Cycle 2222 Kilometers
When I was told my friend had 10 days to live, I jumped on a plane in Dubai where I was living at the time and returned
home to Wellington to say goodbye to my dear friend Natalie Morgan, who I had grown up with since we were nippers.
Eight years later I am studying at Unitec in Auckland to become an Osteopath and found myself with an unique opportunity
with a summer holiday ahead. Instead of getting a job over the break I wanted to do something for Natalie, something
big, something inspiring. I wanted to stop people in their tracks that knew Natalie and reach out to others to become
aware of the many children needing help at CanTeen. I knew an extreme physical challenge would get peoples attention and
I came up with a solo cycle of 2222kms throughout New Zealand, to turn some heads and raise some eye brows.
I have decided to start and finish my trip where Natalie and I very first met at Lauderdale road, Paremata, Wellington
when she was 2 and I was 4. I'll be leaving on the 5th of January 2010 and cycling from Picton down the east coast to
Bluff and back up the west coast. I'm not racing against any clocks or trying to break any record as my aim is to stop
and talk with people along the way collecting donations and spreading awareness of who CanTeen are and why they need
support. I hope to return in time for my 3rd year of studies in mid February.
I know Natalie would support this event 100% as Natalie always wanted to help others with cancer, especially children at
CanTeen, where she was the Vice President at the Wellington branch.
I'm about to tackle some of the highest hills in New Zealand, cycle further than I have ever attempted before and spend
a lot of alone time on the secluded west coast, but I know I can do it because I have faith that Nats will be right with
me all the way helping me through the tough parts from start to finish.
ENDS