809km journey for life and hope

Anton Kuraia is preparing for his 809km walk to Wellington from Whangarei Police Station with Gary Somner (left) and his support team travelling in a luxury motorhome. cancer. Photo / John Stone

Gary Somner is on board for an 809km journey of hope.

The 62-year-old former mechanic and self-confessed jack of all trades, from Waipu, will drive his motorhome from the Whangarei Police Station to Wellington - 809km - as the support vehicle for cancer survivor Anton Kuraia who will be walking the distance raising awareness for alternative treatments.

Mr Somner knows the pain of losing a loved one to cancer. Six months ago his partner of five years, Karen Avery, passed away due to bowel cancer.

The motorhome was to be the couple's "home away from home" as they toured the country. But Karen never got to see the finished bus, which started out as a 48-seater coach in Palmerston North. "Our goal was to have our new address as 'State Highway 1, New Zealand'," Mr Somner said.

Mr Somner rebuilt the bus based on a $1 million vehicle he spotted in a magazine.

It's kitted out with a queen-sized bed, there's an ensuite, a heat pump, washing machine, drier, pantry, and flat screen television with a surround sound entertainment system.

"This bus represents Karen. It describes her personality and quality of life she aspired to. She was a beautiful woman who liked beautiful things."

When diagnosed, Karen was given three weeks to live but died four and a half months later.

Hearing Anton Kuraia's story Mr Somner was only too keen to help.

"This is a journey that has to happen. It's about giving people hope. The current medical mainstream system doesn't give you alternatives. This journey is about letting people know what else is out there."

Mr Kuraia, a policeman now back on the frontline in Whangarei, was was diagnosed in April 2013 with acute myeloid leukemia.

After 10 weeks in hospital and two cycles of chemotherapy, he was discharged in July 2013, and told his cancer was too aggressive and he would die within four to eight weeks, after falling into a coma.

After an overhaul of his diet, to follow the blood-type diet, with daily juicing combined with high doses of vitamin C, the 44-year-old is in remission and on a mission to spread the word.

"Anton's Walk for Hope" will take 31 days and during the journey Anton hopes to raise awareness and funds for The 809 Foundation he has created, which aims to raise funds to subsidise high-dose intravenous vitamin C to extend care and improve quality of life to cancer sufferers and help make natural alternative options affordable for people with cancer.

His wife Louise will be travelling in the motorhome as part of the support crew.

Training is going well with Mr Kuraia running 8km to work and walking the 8km home again. Weekend walks are up to 30km. "I'm fit enough to do it, now it's about getting the endurance.

"For me, every step in the journey will be about hope, life and thriving against the odds."

-For more information go to www.809foundation.org.nz If you would like to help or sponsor the trip, money can be safely donated to The 809 Foundation via the "Givealittle" website https://givealittle.co.nz/