Well known locally for his charitable work, Mitch Boocock’s latest mission is way out of his comfort zone.
He’s lacing up two pairs of brand new trainers and taking to the streets on Friday, September 3, walking for 24 hours straight in the hope of raising $10,000 for two local charities – The Mum’s Clique and Love Soup Hibiscus Coast.
Walking 100km is completely new for Mitch, as is the gym work he has been doing to prepare.
“I generally avoid exercise,” he says. “Snap Fitness provided free access to their gym so I’ve been on treadmills, rowing machines and exercise bikes a lot, putting hours into my legs.”
The walk starts at 7pm “so I can get the night section done first, while I’m fresh”. Mitch will walk 55km around the flat terrain of Ōrewa, then head out to Army Bay and back, finishing at Moana Reserve.
He plans to walk alone, relying on energy gels for sustenance, but is happy for people to donate and join him for a few kilometres if they want to. He may call into cafés and restaurants and ask to use the toilet.
As an ambassador for I Am Hope, Mitch says he chose The Mum’s Clique and Love Soup because they are local and because of the contribution their work makes to mental health.
To donate, look on Givealittle for Coasties Hope Walk. So far almost $3000 has been raised. You can also contact Mitch via his Facebook page.
