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A fundraising walk inspired by the memory of her sister has helped Ōrewa resident Jeanine Mitchell raise more than $4000 for breast cancer support charity Sweet Louise.
The charity provides practical, emotional and social support and services for New Zealanders living with incurable breast cancer.
Jeanine took part in Sweet Louise’s annual Walk 50K challenge, choosing to walk 80km during the campaign while raising awareness and funds for the organisation.
She said she first became aware of Sweet Louise during the final months of her sister’s life.
While her sister did not necessarily need the charity’s support herself, Jeanine was touched by the practical help it offered people living with incurable breast cancer.
One aspect that stood out was the charity’s ability to help families create special memories together during precious final months, whether that was a trip to the zoo, a day out, or other meaningful experiences that might otherwise be financially out of reach.
“I thought that was really wonderful because a lot of people can’t afford to do those things and they got the chance to create special memories.”
When Jeanine learned about the Walk 50K challenge, she saw it as a way to honour her sister while helping others as she also grieved.
“For me, processing grief is about walking with it,” she said. “Physically walking is quite meditative.”
Rather than simply completing the 50km target, Jeanine set herself a personal goal of 80km. She also decided not to count her regular hockey training and games, making the challenge something extra and deliberately dedicated to her sister’s memory.
Her work colleagues at North Harbour Law joined the effort and enthusiastically embraced the challenge, fitting walks around a busy schedule. Together they shared their progress on social media and encouraged donations from friends, family and colleagues.
The response exceeded all expectations.
They originally hoped to raise $1500 but have collected $4195 so far, with fundraising pages remaining open until mid-June.
“We were pretty happy getting over $4000 just from walking,” Jeanine said.
Their efforts were recognised nationally, with their team placing third on the challenge fundraising leaderboard.
As the first anniversary of her sister’s passing approaches later this month, Jeanine said the challenge has provided a meaningful way to remember her.
