Walking for Cystic Fibrosis research

Emma Daken has seven more walking days to reach Bluff and set a record as youngest Kiwi to walk the length of NZ – for Cystic Fibrosis research

Determined Wellington student Emma Daken has just seven more walking days before she triumphs in her quest to set a record as youngest Kiwi to walk the length of NZ – for Cystic Fibrosis research.

Daken will spend tomorrow and New Year’s Eve in Dunedin before the heading off on the last leg of her journey which began from Cape Reinga on November 1. She is scheduled to stride into Invercargill on Friday January 9.

Daken, who turned 20 on the walk, has suffered had shin splints, blisters, a virus, back pain and has almost worn through three pair of shoes since leaving Cape Reinga on November .

``I am feeling good and I have no injuries. I am looking forward to getting into Bluff next week. But it’s been a great walk and I have been overwhelmed with people’s generosity along the way.

``I couldn’t have done this without Jucy rentals giving us a car and a campervan for the whole trip. This has been a humbling exercise and I have met so many wonderful people along the away.’’

The Victoria University student has raised more than $25,000 on her Cape to the Bluff walk to raise awareness and research funds for cystic fibrosis.

She gave up all 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.

Emma created a fundraising page - http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/EmmaDaken08/ so the public could follow her walking progress.

ENDS

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