Fundraisers close in on a milestone
One more year and the ‘‘ City Girls’’ can say they’ve walked 1000 kilometres in the name of Oxfam – not to mention raising more than $30,000 in the process.
Putaruru women Jan Bullot and Kerry Farrant joined up with Aucklanders Lesley Reece and Margaret Kennedy nine years ago to complete the first 100km Oxfam trailwalker.
The determined foursome have just slugged out their ninth, crossing the finish line in 22 hours and 50 minutes.
Bullot said the tradition will end when they hit a decade.
Despite knowing the terrain, it never seems to get any easier, she said.
‘‘Because every time we are all one year older.’’
Not that age seems to be a barrier for 69-year-old team members Reece and Kennedy.
Bullot said every year the team seems to find some way to fine tune the rough, rugged journey.
‘‘This year we all managed to finish the whole 100km with not one blister.’’
The inspiration to return each year is the atmosphere and the purpose, she said. ‘‘It’s just the good that you do.’’ The City Girls were one of four South Waikato teams to enter the demanding course including 4 Forestland Fillies, the Awesome Forcesome (Tokoroa Police) and the South Waikato District Council.
In total all four teams raised close to $11,000 for the charity organisation.
Council team member Kerry Fabrie said this is the second time she has trudged the 100km trail and though even the thought of trying for three is painful enough, ‘‘you just never know’’.
‘‘I said no after last time and look what happened.
‘‘I’ve said no again, but that might have been my unhappy knees talking . . . maybe?’’