If there’s one thing that I’ve learned along my way, it’s that a great adventure comes with great privilege. I have the privilege to live, learn and grow in whichever environments I choose. I can be any version of myself and I can take whatever time I need in the wilderness, to simply be. Of course, I work hard to have access to these adventures. I’m employed during the off-season, working in remote environments to be able to save enough money. I also spend most of my spare time sourcing second-hand gear and researching grants or creating funding proposals. However, I understand that many people don’t have access to such liberties and choices. Therefore, I believe that if I am drawing any attention to my journey’s, then it is imperative for me to also draw attention to story’s beyond myself. So, please read on for my current charitable fundraiser as well as to see my previous work.
If you are willing and able, a donation will always go a long way in encouraging Stoney and I to keep going and sharing our adventures.
While fundraising for I AM HOPE I also pledged to plant one tree for every dollar raised. I raised a total of $3478 which totals 348 trees to plant.
Living up to this has proven to be more difficult than I’d anticipated, mostly because of my lifestyle; I move around a lot and when I am situated in one place for a few months at a time, it’s in the far north of Canada where there is usually snow on the ground. Although it’s been difficult to get the job done, I do take part in volunteer tree planting events whenever I get the opportunity. The events I’ve attended have always been hosted by 10,000 trees. I’ve gone to their spring planting events for the last three years and have so far planted 100 trees – only 248 to go! Good thing I never stipulated a deadline to have these trees planted by and am able to take my time with the project!
During my first long thru-hike on Te Araroa, I chose to walk for mental health. I was on a mission to raise funds for my favourite mental health charity ever; I AM HOPE.
This journey came at a time where I was finally beginning to process my grief after losing my big sister to suicide, three years earlier. This journey became monumental in my healing as it gave me the time and space to cry, sing, yell, and simply MOVE my emotions through me.
Mother nature held me and let me show up just as I am, every single day. The earth floor grounded me, the rivers cleansed me and the each of the elements re-ignited my soul.
To read more about why I chose to fundraise for I AM HOPE and what they do as a charity, follow the link below to read more.
