Rural women walk the length of New Zealand for charity

Media release

For immediate release

30 April 2012

Rural women walk the length of New Zealand for charity

Rural Women New Zealand members and friends walked the length of New Zealand yesterday, then turned round and walked halfway back again!

The collective effort was part of the global Women Walk the World challenge to raise funds to help women in developing countries step up out of poverty.

“The day was a huge success,” says Liz Evans. “Our members held 26 events around the country from Southland to Franklin.”

“Our local challenge was to walk the length of New Zealand, or approximately 1600 kilometres. Our members did that and more!”

Some four hundred walkers clocked up a total of 2,856 kilometers to raise funds for Associated Country Women of the World projects.

The challenge saw several generations taking part, from babies in prams to at least two women in their mid-80s who walked more than five kilometres each, with the oldest walker aged 87!

The distances covered were tallied up on pedometers supplied by the NZ Walking Access Commission.

It’s Chief Executive, Mark Neeson, said the Commission was proud to be part of the the event.

“Women Walk the World is an outstanding idea. Not only does it raise money for a worthy cause, but it also promotes healthy lifestyles, greater awareness of walking opportunities in rural settings and better understanding of life outside urban centres.”

Money was raised through gold coin entry fees, sponsorship and raffles.

Where they walked:

· Old Wanganui Coach Road – 341 kms – 22 walkers

· Lions Reserve Blenheim – 125 kms – 15 walkers

· Waitanguru – 85 kms – 17 walkers

· Te Awamutu Walk of Fame and Pioneer Walk – 78.75 kms – 9 walkers

· Te Awamutu street walk – 78 kms – 13 people

· Bulls river walk – 85.5 kms – 15 walkers

· Wharepapa South, Hobbit film area – 90 kms – 15 walkers

· Kainui Lake Walk – 39.6 kms – 6 people

· Hamilton Lake – 130.1km – 30 people

· Lawrence, Gabriel’s Gully – 230kms – 28 adults, 7 children

· Pakawau, Golden Bay – 8 people

· Onewhero School, Franklin – 100.6 kms – 16 people

· Rapaki Hillside Walk, Martinborough – 61kms – 11 people

· Carrington Walkway, Stratford – 200 kms – 35 women

· New Plymouth, North Taranaki – 96kms – 16 people

· Lake Rotoiti School walk – 152kms – 24 children, 16 adults

· Queen Charlotte Walkway – 211 kms – 18 walkers from Kenepuru branch

· Queen Charlotte Walkway – 222 kms – 14 walkers from Mahikapawa branch

· Taihape Triangle – 94.34 – 20 walkers (oldest aged 87!)

· Marton walk – 47kms – 9 people

· Caroline Bay Walk, South Canterbury – 70kms – 18 people

· Skyline walk, Orana Park Oamaru – 148 kms – 32 people

· Mount Maunganui – 20 kms – 6 people

· Daffodil Bay to Sandy Point, Southland – 125 kms – 45 people

· Gore walk – 15 kms – 15 people

· Omokoroa – 12 kms – 3 people

ends

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