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Military veteran Tony Williams, who is walking NZ from top to bottom to raise money for Medicins Sans Frontier (Doctors Without Borders), made an overnight stop in Warkworth earlier this month.
The 68-year-old, along with his support crew, stopped at the Warkworth RSA to refresh and refuel.
Williams hopes his 2300km journey will raise $1 million for Medicins Sans Frontier (MSF), whose work he witnessed first-hand when he served in East Timor.
“When Putin invaded Ukraine I felt I needed to get off my butt and do something,” he said. “I saw the medical help MSF was delivering in the Ukraine and remembered how brave they had been during the conflict in East Timor. They go wherever they are needed, regardless of the dangers. I decided they were the people I wanted to support.”
As a result, Williams said motivation was not a problem. He was averaging around 30kms a day, with a rest day every Friday.
“I normally start before 7.30am and then knock off around mid-afternoon.”
Along the way is speaking to veterans and encouraging them to set off on their own adventures.
“For too many older people, their home becomes their hospice,” he said. “Older people have the time and the experience to give a lot back to their communities, and I hope that by seeing me do this walk, some at least will be encouraged to find an adventure of their own.
“People should keep challenging themselves if they want to stay physically and mentally healthy.”
Williams said it was disappointing to see how much litter was on the sides of the roads. He was particularly concerned about the number of tie-downs and u-bolts, which he guessed must have come off heavy transport vehicles.
“The support, hospitality and friendliness of veterans and people I’m meeting along the way has been incredible.”
Williams’ support crew includes his sister Cathy, and former veterans Andy Peters and his partner Shirley, and Vic Timu.
The only mishap so far was a dog bite sustained by Cathy when she stopped to make Tony a cup of tea.
Williams hopes to make it to Bluff by mid-November.
To donate go to www.walknz4msf.com. A separate appeal to help Tony meet costs such as food and fuel has also been set-up at: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-me-to-walk-the-talk-for-ukraine.
