Mission-4-Mission

First-Year Students Walk 40 Hours for Christchurch City Mission

Mission 4 Mission - Givealittle

A group of first-year university students from Rochester and Rutherford Hall are preparing to make a meaningful impact on their local community. United by their passion for physical challenges and a shared desire to give back. These students—Jono Pinckney, Ben O’Sullivan, Marco Kraayenhof, Zara Mackley, and their Resident Tutor Josh Earnshaw (Ernie)—have committed to walking for 40 hours from the Akaroa Peninsula to Christchurch.

The walk, scheduled for the weekend of 10th-11th August, will see the students start at 5 a.m. on Saturday and finish at 9 p.m. on Sunday. Inspired by the ‘40-hour challenge’ run by World Vision, they wanted to apply their enthusiasm for adventure sports to a cause that would benefit others.

In selecting Christchurch City Mission as the beneficiary for the fundraising efforts, the students aimed to make a tangible difference within their own community. Their research into the organisation reinforced the contributions would be used effectively to support those in need. Beyond the walk, the group has also organised volunteering events with the Christchurch City Mission. These activities have included a group of female students volunteering at the Women’s Day Program, where they prepared and served lunch for those in need, as well as students volunteering at a City Mission op shop over several days.

These experiences have deepened the students' understanding of the Mission’s essential role in the community, and have shown them firsthand the impact their support can provide. Additionally, the group has drawn inspiration from BDO Advisor Philip Roth, who recently gave frontline assistance in the Ukraine. His commitment to service in a place of crisis motivated the students to pursue their own mission, to make a positive difference within their local context.

The students have set up a givealittle page and are seeking donations that will support the essential services and work carried out by the Christchurch City Mission. All donations to this cause will be greatly appreciated.