Walk powered by support
Training, support and atmosphere helped power a Palmerston North woman battling multiple sclerosis on a 14-kilometre uphill hike at the weekend.
Electrician Tracey Hall and a contingent of 80 friends, family members and strangers tackled the Woodville to Wharite climb, making the peak in 31⁄2 hours, an hour or more faster than she thought possible.
And as a bonus, her achievement has raised more than $8500 for Central Districts Multiple Sclerosis to help other people diagnosed with the neurological disorder.
The illness had Hall dependent on a wheelchair earlier in the year, but she fought back, putting herself through a challenging training programme to get fit for the climb.
She said the training paid off.
‘‘I’m certainly the fittest I have been all year.
‘‘The right leg was feeling a bit heavy by the end of the walk, but I got there, and don’t have any pain.’’
Hall was encouraged on the last kilometre of the hike by 9-year-old son Connor, who variously biked, took a ride, and walked with his mum on the final leg.
She said the event was awesome, with friends, family and well-wishers turning up from Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, and even some from overseas, who were inspired to join in. ‘‘The atmosphere on the day was great. I was really blown away.’’
That was almost literally the case. Although the day was fine and sunny, Hall said it was bitterly cold and windy at the top, with many of the walkers promptly turning around for a downhill walk to find shelter.
She said part of the exercise was about promoting the value of fitness and outdoor activity in helping people to live well and feel better, whether or not they had an illness such as multiple sclerosis.
But she was also ‘‘stoked’’ by the event’s success as a fundraiser.
By the end of the walk, there was $7800 in the account, with another $200 collected at a function in Woodville afterwards, with pledges still coming in, and another two weeks available for people to contribute through a givealittle page.