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Trekking for Multiple Sclerosis

23 April 2014

Each year, The Great New Zealand Trek sees horse riders, walkers and mountain bikers participate in a unique adventure – a week long trek through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful farmland, beaches and forestry to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis. Last month, Dr Anne La Flamme was able to participate in the annual trek once again.

The Trek, which began in 2006 at Cape Reinga, starts each year’s leg where it previously finished with the ultimate goal of finishing in Bluff in 2020. This year, the riders, walkers and bike-riders started the first South Island stage, making their way from Wairau Valley to Clarence.

Since 2010, funds from The Great New Zealand Trek Charitable Trust have supported our MS research at the Malaghan and so far they have contributed over $140,000!

“Funds from The Great New Zealand Trek have been vital in allowing us to investigate and test new ideas, while also supporting the development of emerging MS researchers,” says Dr La Flamme. “We are incredibly grateful for their support.”

For more information on The Great New Zealand Trek and to find out how you can get involved in the 2015 stage of the Trek, please visit their website: www.greatnewzealandtrek.org.nz

 


History of the Trek

It all began in 1995 in Australia when Trek Manager, Steve Old, helped organise a charity horse ride for the Yooralla Society. It was a huge week long challenge involving 350 horse riders and the worst weather in 40 years! However it was a success and gave him the idea to organise a similar event back home in New Zealand.?The first Great New Zealand Trail Ride was held in 1996 on the Coromandel Peninsula with 483 horses and riders instantly becoming the largest ride of its kind in the world with $40,000 raised for Multiple Sclerosis. Steve's mother had passed away with MS in 1993. Since then, the format has changed and The Great New Zealand Trek started in 2006 from the top of NZ as an annual week-long event to allow, not just horse riders but everyone the opportunity to trek the length of the country or parts of it on horseback, mountain bike or by walking at their own pace with full support. What has remained the same is the aim is to raise funds to help to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.