NEWS FLASH: I did it - 3 1/2 hours, setting out in the pitch black with my husband to 'wave' me off at 4.40 a.m. I arrived at school to be met by a substantial number of students and staff cheering me at the finish. All day students have been coming up to ask about the journey and what's even better, have been collecting money on behalf of the appeal. I still have loads of promises for more funds on Monday, so I'm hopeful for a fanstic final total to pass on to the stricken New Zealanders. THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me so far.

The Story so far:

I woke up in the middle of the night here in the UK on Tuesday and flicked on the television to see pictures of utter devastation from the  centre of Christchurch. As a Kiwi and a South Islander, I know Christchurch well, but there were no words for what we were witnessing as the day unfolded.

 

Gradually word came through from friends that they were safe, although their properties were damaged ... but still I sat transfixed by the horror and stories of death, survival  and heroism.

 

It's difficult being so far away and being able to do so little, but one thing I can do is to fund-raise. I've decided to raise money by embarking on an interesting commute to work: I realised some time ago it is feasible to kayak from my home near Godalming (Surrey, UK), all the way to my school in Addlestone, a distance of around 30km.

 

So on Friday, March 4, I plan to kayak to work using the canals - I'll need to leave at about 4.30am to get there in time ... I'm not the fastest paddler in the world, but I do have Kiwi grit and determination, which will hopefully make up for my lack of speed.

 

For a small city like Christchurch, this has become the most unimaginable tragedy and truly, every penny can help. Donations will be going straight to the NZ earthquake Appeal, run by the British Red Cross, so please dig deep and donate whatever you can.

 

Thank you,

Kathryn de Ferrer

Godalming, UK (formerly Dunedin, NZ)