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When I put my hand up to do Kokoda in aid of Zoe’s Place I was so excited. Since then I think I have gone through every possible emotion and feelings. I have been in pain (both during training and following training), I have been emotional about some of the stories that have been told, I have been extremely proud to say that I am doing it and for the reason I am doing it, I have been so worried as to whether I can actually pull it off, mostly I have been scared to death but to be completely honest now I can positively say that I am just excited….BRING IT ON!
When I first came to Zoe’s Place, I was amazed at what I saw and how this place made me feel. It was so warm, friendly and fun and the kids, well I just fell in love with each and every one of them and to this day, more than a year after I started, they continue to teach me something new.
My role involves putting together fundraising events and getting the general public, along with Zoe’s Place supporters involved. I love it, but Kokoda has given me the opportunity to get myself involved and physically do something for these incredibly brave kids and their families. For what these families face every single day, I am sure I can go through two months of gruelling training and ten days of what I can only imagine being one of the most incredible experiences of my life (apart from the bugs, no showers, the soup that I have heard I am going to despise after the first day and the fact that I probably won’t fit back into my heels for 3 weeks following the trek since my feet will be so swollen).
In April 2006, I was lucky enough to travel to Turkey to be a part of the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli which can only be described as one of the most emotional and educational days of my life. To now be able to do this trek is going to be incredible.
Another reason for my interest in Kokoda and Papua New Guinea is that in 1986 my father got a transfer to New Guinea to work so I spent 1 year living in Mt Hagen and 2 years in Port Moresby. I have nothing but great memories from the time I spent up there and even though I know so much will have changed, it will be great to see it 20 years on.
Kokoda is a once in a life time opportunity and to combine doing it with raising money for an organisation which is so deserving is going to be an amazing achievement for not just me, but everyone participating in the trek.
Your support is kindly accepted and greatly appreciated!
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