Back strain, worn out shoes in charity walk

Media release – November 18, 2008

Emma Daken has back strain and wears out first pair of shoes in her attempt to set record as youngest Kiwi to walk the length of NZ – for Cystic Fibrosis research

Determined Wellington teenager Emma Daken is expected to walk into Rotorua on Friday in her challenging attempt to set a record as the youngest Kiwi to walk the length of NZ – for Cystic Fibrosis research funds.

Daken walked out of Ngaruawahia this morning despite a painful back strain in the 18th day of her 2200km journey to the Bluff.

``I had a back injury when I was young and this is a similar strain with pinched quadriceps nerves. I had acupuncture yesterday and I’ll have more treatment in a day or so. I’ll be joined in the walk into Rotorua by their new National MP Todd McLay.

Daken, who was expected to be south of Karaprio tonight, has worn out the first pair of her size 11 shoes. She has been troubled by a stomach virus, blisters and a possibility of losing some toenails since leaving Cape Reinga on November 1.

The Victoria University student is walking the 2200km 70 day walk to raise awareness and research funds for cystic fibrosis. She is scheduled to arrive in Bluff on January 9.

Daken has given up all her Victoria University holiday break so she can complete the arduous walk - which will be like walking a marathon most days.

Jucy Rentals is sponsoring Daken on her walk with a campa vehicle and a car for the whole 70 day journey. She has completed her second year of study at Victoria. 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.

Emma will be visiting many of NZ's large and small towns on her walk and she hopes to get a lot of local support for her campaign. She has created a fundraising page - http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/EmmaDaken08/ so the public can follow her walking progress.

ENDS

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