The Journey of Hope commences

At ten o’clock this morning (24 November) students  Xaver Hausner and Oliver Macindoe left Cape Reinga on the first leg of their 3358km Journey of Hope – to raise awareness about polio and also to raise funds for the global Rotary Foundation PolioPlus programme which is aimed at eradicating the disease of polio from the planet.

In the words of Melinda Gates (whose Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a partner with Rotary in the struggle to eradicate polio) “the biggest obstacle we face is that people think polio is old news. It isn't old news for many people in Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, but it could be. We are this close.”
The first leg of 87 km takes the riders down State Highway One to Lake Waipareira.  Tomorrow they will  travel to Whangaroa Harbour.

Details of the entire route are available on the website http://www.polio.org.nz
The ride is expected to take 54 days and is scheduled to finish on 16 January at Bluff having roundfed East Cape and also traversed the West Coast of the South Island.

Rotary clubs along the chosen route will provide food and shelter and have also organised a range of fundraising activities.

The Journey of Hope is expected to reach Auckland on 1 December where the two riders ex[pect to be accompanied by a number of Rotarian cyclists as they make their way own the North Shore before heading into the city and doing a loop through Newmarket, Remuera, and Mission Bay before heading back to Aotea Square for a welcome which will include Auckland Rotarians, dignitaries and the Leader of the Opposition Hon Phil Goff.

Following the Auckland welcome Xaver and Oliver have been invited to have afternoon tea with His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand and Lady Susan Satyanand.
Rotarians have already pledged more than $10,000 to PolioPlus as a result of the Journey  of Hope.
As the Journey of Hope moves down the country thousands of Rotarians will be involved in activities to support the project from running sausage sizzles and fundraising BBQs to getting on their bikes and joining in.