When I was just 9 years old I lost my brother to leukaemia. Ever since then I have wanted to help others who are fighting this cruel illness - one that afflicts some 10,000 New Zealanders.
So last year, after 12 months training and preparation, I became the first person ever to run NZ's 7 Great Walks in just 7 days. In so doing I raised over $85,000 for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.
This year I’m back for more! I am planning a second ultra-endurance run that will see me covering another 350 kms of gruelling trails over just 7 days. It's called the 7in7 Challenge and you can learn more at www.7in7.org.nz
Over two years I will have run some 7,000 kms, worn out 16 pairs of running shoes, and donated thousands of hours of my time to this venture. But by the end of it all I hope to have raised that much-needed $250,000.
Some have called it Pure Madness. I’d rather think of it as Pure Inspiration.