7-day challenge puts focus on living life to the full

Rotorua was one of the stops for seven people with visual impairments who are taking part in a seven-day challenge and living a life without limits.

On Wednesday, seven of the Blind Foundation's clients started the second annual 7 Day Challenge.

The group are taking on the challenge of tracking 700km on foot, tandem bikes, kayaks and waka ama from Mt Maunganui to Wellington.

Blair Gilbert, Blind Foundation national manager for community and life enrichment, said the first day was a 4am start for some who were flying into Tauranga.

The challenge ends in Wellington on Tuesday, with a support crew accompanying the participants.

He said they started on top of local landmark Mauao with a karakia, then ran down the slopes and piled into one big waka.

They then paddled across Tauranga Harbour, up the Wairoa River, and the second day involved a marathon.

On Thursday night the group stayed in Tunohopu marae at Ohinemutu and set off this morning for a 100km tandem ride to Taupo.

Rotorua Lakes Council staff Rachel Doelman, Hugh Bootten and Rob Griffiths biked with the group from the marae to about Waipa.

Gilbert said people had to apply to take part and they had far more interest than they did places.

"It's not about fundraising as such. If people want to donate that's helpful, but the focus is living a life a life without limits, to have a go, have fun and set some challenges."

Whakatane's Olivia Mexted, who is partially blind, said "challenging" was a good word to describe how the journey had been so far.

She said a lot of the activities she had never done before, like tandem biking and the marathon.

She said those involved were an awesome bunch of people.

"I'm excited and feeling good considering it's the third day."

She said she was looking forward to climbing Mount Tongariro.

"When I told people I was doing it they were amazed they set up things like this.

"It's nice to prove people wrong."

Mike Asmussem, who is from Christchurch and also partially blind, said three of the seven were from the South Island, and that he was doing the challenge with his son.

He said he was enjoying the amazing scenery of Aotearoa and the camaraderie of everybody helping each other out.

"For some of us it's facing new challenges, testing ourselves, and pushing our limits."

For more information visit blindfoundation.org.nz.