Emma Daken
Having walked for nearly 60 days from Cape Reinga,
Northland, Wellington student Emma Daken is taking a well
earned break in Dunedin over the New Year period.
Miss Daken (20) has six more walking days to complete her
journey and become the youngest Kiwi to walk the length of
New Zealand, while raising money for cystic fibrosis
research.
She has raised more than $25,000 on her way to a target of
$50,000.
It has at times been a painful experience for Miss Daken, who
turned 20 on the walk.
She has suffered shin splints, blisters, a virus, back pain
and has almost worn through three pair of shoes since leaving
Cape Reinga on November 1.
"I am looking forward to getting into Bluff next week," she
said yesterday.
"But it's been a great walk and I have been overwhelmed with
people's generosity along the way."
She arrived in Dunedin about 2.30pm yesterday, having left
Palmerston at 8.30am to walk the 53km to Dunedin.
Her mother and grandmother will spend New Year's Eve with her
in the city.
She leaves Dunedin on Friday morning and hopes to arrive in
Bluff next week.
Donations can be made at: www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/EmmaDaken08/.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.