Bluff to Cape student spending christmas having a beer in Timaru

Emma Daken to celebrate Xmas and 55 days on the road in Timaru in her quest to set record as youngest Kiwi to walk the length of NZ – for Cystic Fibrosis research.

Determined Wellington student Emma Daken will celebrate Christmas and 55 days on the road in Timaru in her quest to set a record as youngest Kiwi to walk the length of NZ – for Cystic Fibrosis research.

Daken will spend Christmas Day and Boxing Day resting in Timaru before her final push to the Bluff. She is expected to end her 2200km 72 day journey on January 9.

Daken, who turned 20 on the walk, has suffered had shin splints, blisters, a virus, back pain and has nearly worn through three pair of shoes since leaving Cape Reinga on November .

``I am feeling good and can’t wait to have a beer and relax on Christmas Day. I am staying with local MP Jo Goodhew. I am a political science student and i made contact with Northland MPs at the start and they have been great passing me on to other MPs all the way down the country. They have been great.

``I’m going to love Christmas Day but I’ll be thinking of those suffering from cystic fibrosis and think how lucky i am,’’ Daken said.

The Victoria University student is walking from the Cape to the Bluff to raise awareness and research funds for cystic fibrosis.

She gave up all her Victoria University holiday break so she could complete the arduous walk – and has been walking marathon distances most days.

Jucy Rentals is sponsoring Daken on her walk with a campa vehicle and a car for the whole 70 day journey. She has completed her second year of study at Victoria. Her inspiration for selecting the charity was from her contact with a very close friend who suffers from the condition. Her driver on the walk also has cystic fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis is NZ's most common life-threatening inherited condition and the Cystic Fibrosis Association is the only national organisation dedicated to all aspects of the condition.

Emma has visited many of NZ's large and small towns on her walk and she received huge local support for her campaign to raise more than $25,000. She has created a fundraising page - http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/EmmaDaken08/ so the public can follow her walking progress.