North Island trek to thank St John

EN ROUTE: Brad Knyvett takes a breather at Ngawi on the first day of his massive journey to Cape Reinga. PHOTO/GORDON WYETH

Young Massey University student Brad Knyvett is taking the old maxim "one good turn deserves another" to its zenith by walking from Cape Palliser to Cape Reinga, hoping to cover 40 kilometres a day.

Brad's trek is not simply for fun or sightseeing but is a way of saying thank you to St John after paramedics saved his critically injured father's life last year. He will be attempting to raise awareness and funds for the ambulance service along the way.

"My father was involved in a motorbike crash on our family farm near Matamata.

"His injuries were critical and if it wasn't for St John it could've been a different outcome," Brad said prior to setting off from the South Wairarapa coastal outpost yesterday.

Due to the severity of his injuries, his father is still recovering a year later.

"I was at home for the weekend when it happened. When St John arrived on the scene I helped the ambulance officer as she worked on my father before he was flown to Waikato Hospital," Brad said.

"The next day the officer phoned me and commented how calm I was and how well I'd done helping her with my father.

"She encouraged me to get involved with St John."

While his father's recovery got underway, Brad completed a St John first aid course and started looking at ways he could show St John his support.

"I wanted to do something that raised awareness of what they do, how they make a difference and how they need our support."

After looking at options, he devised a plan to raise funds and awareness by walking the length of the North Island.

"My parents thought I was nuts when I told them but they were both behind me.

"My walk ends at the lighthouse at Cape Reinga so it made sense to start at the other end of the island at the lighthouse at Cape Palliser," he says.

Travelling an average of 40km a day his journey will take him to Masterton, Palmerston North, Taihape, Waiouru, Turangi, Taupo, Tokoroa, Matamata, Auckland, Kumeu, Whangarei and Kaitaia before he reaches Cape Reinga, a distance of 1200km.

The trek is not something that can be done without training and, with this in mind, Brad started a fitness regime by leaving his car at home, investing in several pairs of walking shoes and footing it to Massey University, Palmerston North.

His weekends and week nights were given over to training on a variety of terrain.

"I've never done anything like this before. There's a lot of distance to cover but I know I can achieve this goal and raise money and awareness for St John." Brad said.

He will be meeting any expenses he incurs out of his own pocket, with help from friends and family who will accompany him on legs of the 35-day journey.

"Friends think I'm crazy but they get why this is important to me and they're behind me every step of the way.s

To support Brad on his journey and help him in his quest to raise funds for St John, donations can be made on his fundraising page at fundraiseforstjohn.everydayhero.com/nz/walkforsupport.

Brad expects to be walking through Masterton on Monday or Tuesday and to reach Cape Reinga about December 12.