Inspirational walk ends in celebration for Gisborne group

The trekkers involved in the fundraising walk around East Cape arrived home to a big welcome on Saturday outside the Town Clock. From left are Johnathan Quilter, Vicki Crosswell, Kirsty Shaw, Ana Zaloumis, Cindy Gilbert, toddler Zoe Holst, Melissa Holst, Sophie Land and her mum Christine Reeves. Absent is Sam Gemmell). Photo / Murray Robertson

Whāngārā farmer Sophie Land, her friends from Outward Bound and supporters made a triumphal return to Gisborne on Saturday, ending a 475km fundraising trek around East Cape.

They made their week-long journey on foot in support of the Tairāwhiti Rural Support Trust and by the time they arrived in Gisborne’s city centre at 2pm on Saturday, they had raised $17,000.

The team ended their trek on the footpath by the Town Clock, where they started from on September 7.

They were met by wild cheers, hugs and tears of joy by a big crowd of family and supporters.

The walkers were cheered wildly by a big crowd as they came home. Photo / Murray Robertson

Asked how she was feeling shortly after she finished, smiling mum-of-four Land said: “Pretty stuffed actually.”

The team took turns to walk and jog their way round the Cape.

They included Land’s Hillary Watch 7/11 teammates from Outward Bound, which they attended together earlier this year.

With the group was Mellisa Holst, who lives in Hawkes Bay’s Dartmoore Rd, which was badly affected by the Cyclone Gabrielle.

“She has been very appreciative of the support RST [Rural Support Trust] gave her and her family,” Land said.

The other trekkers were Ana Zaloumis, Sam Gemmell, Jonathan Quilter and Cindy Gilbert.

They subbed in and out of the long trip.

“They are all just legends,” Land said.

“We really appreciate the support from Ana’s mum Kirsty Shaw and my mum Christine, who supported us for the whole journey. Without them this would not have been possible.”

The walkers received a great deal of support from communities they walked through along the way. Photo / supplied

Land said they all remembered a saying from Outward Bound”: “There’s more in you than you know.”

“My blisters are stinging, but my heart is singing. We are all so happy with the outcome and with the amount of money we have been able to raise for Rural Support to help those rural people who need it.

“This is what it’s all about - the community coming together to help each other.”

Land’s father Peter Reeves, also from Whāngārā, was beaming proudly as his daughter and her trek teammates finished.

“Sophie and her friends have done magnificently.”

Land was presented with a bunch of freshly picked wildflowers as she came home.

Husband Nick, like her dad, was full of praise for Land and her crew

A special hug for a special woman....Nick Land welcomes home wife Sophie at the end of the East Coast Loop in Boots trek on Saturday afternoon. Photo / Murray Robertson

“I’m so extremely proud of Sophie,” he said. “It was a massive effort they all put in and we are all so proud of them all.”

The team members subbed in and out along the 475km journey. Photo / Supplied

Rural Support Trust coordinator Vicki Crosswell shed a few tears when she spoke to the Herald as they approached the finish.

“They’re outstanding, just so inspirational. It’s a real credit to them all. What a show of determination.

“They fought through the blood, the sweat and tears, and were always smiling, giggling. having fun together as they went along their way.”

Crosswell said the money raised would help other people struggling in the rural community.

“That support is just so welcome.”

The weather was on their side, which helped them complete the gruelling challenge. Photo / Supplied

Land, from Mangaone Station at Whāngārā, came up with the idea for the fundraiser while at Outward Bound.

“At Outward Bound, I forged new relationships and found strength from eight strangers, now friends.”

She and her friends did it in support of farmers in the region still struggling mentally with their workloads post-Gabrielle.

“If you can build a bond with others, there is strength in feeling supported and offering your support to others.”

Donations to the fundraiser can be made through to Thursday this week on the Givealittle site.