Couple’s 6-month trek to benefit heart foundation
THE Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) is the beneficiary of a grand adventure fund-raiser, a sixmonth walk across the US Appalachian Trail to be undertaken by a married couple.
Ian and Leslie Hurst will, at the end of this month, participate in the event to raise funds for the foundation.
The couple chose the HSFSA because they wish to inspire people living with heart disease to seek more from life beyond living with the disease, and also because they believe in the purpose and work done by the HSFSA.
Ian, 58, is a director and shareholder of a payroll outsource and software company, and has been a heart disease sufferer from an early age.
At age 20, during 1980, Ian was diagnosed with congenital heart disease, and was fitted with a pacemaker when he was 21.
While exercising with caution, Ian has made sure that he still did the things he wanted to in order to live a healthy and full life.
He ran half-marathons, cycled the Cape Town Cycle Tour five times and hikes in the mountains.
“I did not want to let my pacemaker get in the way of living my life as actively as I could. I believe that exercise is good for you, and that everyone should do what they can to be active. I did not want to let my heart condition erode my quality of life,” Ian said.
Leslie said: “We have been married for more than 35 years, and have three children and two grandchildren. We will be leaving for the US, Atlanta, on March 31 and will be starting our hike on April 4. We hope to finish in mid-September.”
Five years ago, Ian and Leslie left Springer Mountain for Harpers Ferry, the halfway mark on the Appalachian Trail.
With only enough annual leave and money for a threemonth trip, the couple undertook to walk the trail, which changed their lives.
In 2015, the duo did another stretch, of 1 609km, from Delaware water gap in New Jersey to Monson in Maine.
Leslie has also completed the Cape Town Cycle Tour five times and has completed numerous iconic hikes with her husband around South Africa.